Partial or total replacement of soybean oil by black soldier pupae fat in broiler diets. Part 1: Effect on growth and slaughtering performances

Aim of this study was to determine the effect of partial or total replacement of soybean oil by black soldier pupae fat (BSPF) in broiler diets on animal growth performance. A total of 150 male broiler chicks (Ross 308) at 1 d of age were raised in a floor pen till d 21 and fed a commercial broiler diet (217 g/kg of CP). On d 21, 96 birds were chosen and randomly distributed over 3 dietary treatments, each consisting of 4 pens as replicates (8 chicks/pen). The animals were reared until the slaughter age set at 48 days. A basal diet based on corn meal, soybean meal and soybean oil was formulated and served as control group (C) and the 50 and 100% replacement of soybean oil by BSPF formed the two treatment groups (CH and H). All diets, were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isoenergetic. Feed consumption (FC), body weight (BW) and daily weight gain (DWG) were determined weekly and for the overall experimental period (21-48 day). Final body weight was recorded on day 48. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated, like above, weekly and for the overall experimental period. Data were tested by one-way ANOVA, followed by Duncan's post-hoc test. Growth performances were not influenced by the partial or total replacement of soybean oil with BSPF. A positive numerical trend was observed for the H group for the final BW and the DWG. No differences were observed for FCR. In conclusion BSPF seem to can be used in a finisher broiler diet without any negative growth consequences.