Insects as a feed ingredient in poultry diets

The inclusion of insect proteins as raw material plays an important role in commercial feed and in developing intensive farming systems. The ideal insect should have a short reproduction cycle and be nutritious, providing high protein and sulfur-containing amino acids.

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The intensive growth of poultry production in the last decades has required greater availability of ingredients. Especially those with a higher percentage of protein to supply the amino acid requirements necessary for the functions related to maintenance, feather development and cover, growth, egg production, and reproduction.

Despite there being different vegetable protein sources for poultry, such as soybean meals, legumes, and rapeseed, more availability of amino acids can be found in animal-based protein. However, due to the cross-contamination and negative animal health impact, not all can be formulated in poultry diets.

Currently, alternative protein sources of comparable value are therefore urgently needed to make poultry production a sustainable production form in the future. Here, the inclusion of insect proteins as raw material plays an important role in commercial feed and in developing intensive farming systems for new six-legged livestock.