Research Article
Effects of Diets and Rearing Periods on the Yield and Nutritional Quality of Cockroach Meal as Source of Protein to Broiler Chicken
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
111-123
Received:
14 July 2025
Accepted:
28 July 2025
Published:
10 October 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.aje.20250904.11
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Abstract: A 3 x 4 factorial experiment was conducted to assess the effects of three diets (D1, D2 and D3) and four rearing periods (T30 (30 days), T60 (60 days), T90 (90 days) and T120 (120 days) on the performance and economics of mass production of American cockroaches as source of animal protein in the diets of broiler chickens. A total of 1380 cockroach nymphs (10th-14th instars) were allotted randomly to the diets and rearing periods and replicated five (5) times in buckets. Data on feed intake, growth performance, survival rates, number of ootheca and cost components were recorded and analysed. Samples of the feed ingredients, diets and cockroach meal were collected and analysed for nutritional values using standard methods. Diet D1 was a well-balanced commercial broiler starter, whereas diets D2 was made from three organic wastes and D3 being made from various organic wastes with fortification of minerals and vitamins. The cumulative feed intake by the cockroaches on diet D2 (45.26 g) was higher (p<0.05) than that of diets D1 (26.8 g) and D3 (37.74 g). Cockroaches fed on diet D2 had higher weight gain (7.4 g) than diets D1 (5.9 g) and D2 (4.1 g). Similarly, cockroaches reared for 90 days had higher weight gain (7.6 g) than those reared for 30 (2.5 g), 60 (5.7 g) and 120 (7.3 g) days. The number of ootheca produced were higher (P<0.05) on diet D2 (35) than on diet D1 (13) and D3 (12). The higher (P<0.05) mean survival rate was observed in cockroaches reared for 30 days (91.3%) and 90 days (81.4%) than those reared for 60 days (67.8%) and 120 days (54.9%) periods. The average crude protein content of the cockroach meal was higher at 90 days (720.4 g/kg) and 60 days (716.8 g/kg) than other periods. In conclusion, rearing cockroach nymphs on diet D2 for 90 days was found to be the most effective way of producing cockroaches with relatively low production costs. Further study is recommended on evaluation of the produced cockroach meal as source of animal protein in the diets of broiler chicken.
Abstract: A 3 x 4 factorial experiment was conducted to assess the effects of three diets (D1, D2 and D3) and four rearing periods (T30 (30 days), T60 (60 days), T90 (90 days) and T120 (120 days) on the performance and economics of mass production of American cockroaches as source of animal protein in the diets of broiler chickens. A total of 1380 cockroach ...
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Martin John Martin
