Effects of housefly larvae (Musca domestica) dehydrated meal on production performances and sensory properties of broiler meat

Abstract

The trial included 100 one-day-old broilers, Cobb 500, of both sexes, divided into the two groups, 50 broilers in each. The experiment lasted 42 days and was conducted in three phases: days 1-7, days 8-21 and days 22-42. The control group of broilers (C) was fed a mixture of standard composition (basal diet), while the experimental group (O-I) received the same diet but with the addition of dehydrated housefly larvae in the amount of 5% (% as fed basis) in the starter diet and 4% in grower and finisher diets. Production results (body weight, body weight gain, feed consumption and feed to gain ratio) were determined during the trial. The broilers fed larvae meal achieved statistically higher (p < 0.001) average body weight and daily weight gain with superior feed to gain ratio, compared to the control group, but also higher feed consumption and feed conversion. Meat samples obtained from the broilers fed larvae meal were graded as more acceptable by panelists, in comparison to those obtained from the control group. The achieved results point to the fact that dehydrated housefly larvae meal can be used as an alternative source of proteins in broiler nutrition.