Effects of processing methods of dried black soldier fly larvae as top-dressing replacement in layer diets on performance, egg quality, and economic returns
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55674/cs.v18i3.267573Keywords:
Black soldier fly larvae, Top-dressing, Laying hen performance, Egg quality, Economic returnAbstract
Feed cost is a major egg production expense. This study evaluated the effects of differently processed dried black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) on laying performance, egg quality, and economic returns. Forty commercial brown laying hens (30 weeks old) were assigned to four treatments with 10 replicates each in a completely randomized design for 6 weeks. Treatments comprised a commercial diet (control) and diets with 10% top-dressing replacement using hot-air dried larvae (T2), boiled and hot-air dried larvae (T3), or autoclaved and hot-air dried larvae (T4). Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. Hen-day egg production, egg weight, egg mass, and feed conversion ratio were significantly affected by treatment, time, and treatment × time interaction (p<0.001). T2 and T3 generally showed improved production performance and feed efficiency compared with the control. Egg weight was affected by treatment (p=0.003) and treatment × time interaction (p=0.025), whereas albumen and yolk proportions were unaffected (p>0.05). Shell proportion (p=0.024), yolk color (p=0.035), and shell thickness at the sharp end (p=0.045) differed among treatments, whereas most internal egg quality and eggshell traits were unaffected. BSFL reduced feed cost per egg by 0.25, 0.37, and 0.05 THB per egg, equivalent to approximately 0.008, 0.012, and 0.002 USD per egg, for T2, T3, and T4, respectively, compared with the control. Net return increased by 109.44, 119.90, and 42.36 THB, equivalent to approximately 3.50, 3.83, and 1.35 USD, respectively. T3 had the highest benefit–cost ratio. Because top-dressing increased dietary protein and fat contents relative to the control, responses may partly reflect differences in nutrient density among treatments. Overall, the results suggest that replacing 10% of commercial feed with dried BSFL using a top-dressing approach can maintain laying performance and may improve economic efficiency, particularly with boiled and hot-air dried larvae, under the conditions of this study.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
HIGHLIGHTS
- Replacement of commercial feed with 10% dried black soldier fly larvae using a top-dressing approach
- Processing methods of larvae influenced production performance, egg quality, and economic returns
- Boiled and hot-air dried larvae showed the most favorable overall performance and benefit–cost ratio
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