Slaughtering performance of medium-growing chicken fed black soldier fly live larvae

This study aims to evaluate the effects on slaughter performance of medium-growing chickens fed live insect larvae. A total of 240 Label Naked Neck chickens were reared from 21 to 82 d of age. The birds were split according to gender and dietary treatment in 4 experimental groups (6 replicate/treatment, 10 birds/pen). The treated groups received 10% supplementation (of the expected daily feed intake) of black soldier fly larvae. At 82 d of age, 2 birds/pen (12 birds/treatment) were selected on the basis of the pen average body weight (BW) and slaughtered. The ready-to-cook carcass weight (RTCCW) was recorded. The weight of the heart, spleen, bursa of Fabricius (BF), liver, gut, and stomachs were collected (%BW). After 24h of refrigeration (4 °C) the chilled carcass weight (CCW) was recorded. The carcass yields (%BW), breast yields (ÌW), thigh yields (ÌW), water losses (WL) (%RTCC-CC, 24 h after slaughter) were calculated. The pH and colour (after 24 h at 4 °C) of breast and thigh meat were registered. Data were analysed using a GLMM (P<0.05). The spleen weight was higher in both treated groups than controls (P<0.01), attributable to larvae immune activity. Treated females showed a higher BF weight than control females (P<0.05). Moreover, treated birds revealed a higher absolute heart weight than control ones (P<0.05). Finally, WL were lower in females fed larvae than control (P<0.01). In conclusion, live larvae may be safely used in medium-growing chickens feeding programs and may exert the stimulation of immune system.