Egg production of Creole hens fed with live larvae of the Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens L.)

Resumen

Objective: To evaluate the consumption of live larvae of Hermetia illucens L. and a complement (corn, wheat bran, vitamins and minerals) in the productive response of Creole hens compared to a diet based on corn, soybean meal, vitamins and minerals. Methodology: 44 Creole hens were used to evaluate 2 experimental diets: a diet based on corn-soybean and a diet with live larvae and a complement. The larvae used were produced in a rearing chamber with controlled temperature and relative humidity. To evaluate productive behavior, the following variables were measured during eigth weeks: feed intake (g bird^-1 week^-1), egg production (kg bird^-1 week^-1), feed conversion (kg kg^-1), laying percentage (%), average egg weight (g), egg mass (g) and mortality. The design was completely randomized, with repeated measurements over time using the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.0. The means were compared with Tukey's test (α = 0.05).

Results: Significant differences (P≤0.05) were observed in feed intake and feed conversion, with the remaining means (P>0.05) there were no differences. The average values of each variable were not different (P>0.05).

Limitations of the study: The use of fly larvae implies a previous proximal analysis to know the nutritional contribution, this will depend on the type of substratum that is given to the larvae.

Conclusions: Live larvae of Black Soldier Fly with a supplement based on corn, wheat bran, vitamins and minerals can replace soybean meal in a diet for Creole hens.