Research Article
Black Soldier Fly Larvae Meal (Hermetia illucens) in Tropical Broiler Diets: Inclusion Thresholds for Growth Performance, Physiological, and Survival Dynamics
Louhd Gbetnkom Mbansie,
Paul Serge Mbenoun Massé*
,
Bertrant James Taya Saah,
Samuel Didier Makon,
Ruth Mony
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 4, December 2026
Pages:
145-155
Received:
13 August 2026
Accepted:
9 October 2026
Published:
21 October 2026
Abstract: Poultry farming plays a pivotal role in ensuring food security and rural livelihoods across Sub-Saharan Africa. However, extreme reliance on expensive imported protein feeds, particularly soybean meal and fish meal, severely undermines sector sustainability. This study evaluated the effects of the replacement of the soybean meal with local BSFL meal (BSFLM) on growth performance, survival, liver/kidney biomarkers, and hematological responses in broiler chickens (Ross 308) in Cameroon. A total of 72 one-day-old unsexed chicks were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments across three replicates (6 chicks/replicate) for 56 days (starter phase: days 1–28; grower phase: days 29–56): Control A1 (0% BSFLM), A2 (5%/2.5%, starter/grower), A3 (7.5%/3.75%), A4 (complete replacement: 15%/7.5%). On day 56, 24 chicks were sampled for full blood count, liver enzyme, kidney function, and lipid profile analyses using standardized enzymatic spectrophotometry. Broilers fed diet A3 achieved the highest final body weight (1021.44 ± 245.88 g) and 0% mortality. Conversely, total substitution (A4) resulted in significantly reduced growth, high mortality (22.22%), and impaired feed efficiency, indicating metabolic limits or nutrient imbalances at high inclusion rates. Hepatic (ALT, AST) and renal (creatinine, uric acid) parameters, along with serum lipid profiles (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL), remained within normal physiological reference ranges across all groups, confirming the physiological safety of BSFLM. A significant reactive thrombocytosis was detected in groups A2 and A4 (p < 0.05), warranting further investigation into immune-mediated pathways. Locally processed BSFL meal can safely replace up to 50% of dietary soybean meal in tropical broiler formulations without compromising growth, physiological health, and chicken survival, highlighting the imperative for strict processing standards and threshold management in poultry nutrition.
Abstract: Poultry farming plays a pivotal role in ensuring food security and rural livelihoods across Sub-Saharan Africa. However, extreme reliance on expensive imported protein feeds, particularly soybean meal and fish meal, severely undermines sector sustainability. This study evaluated the effects of the replacement of the soybean meal with local BSFL mea...
Show More
