Dietary inclusion of defatted black soldier fly larvae meal: impacts on laying hen performance, egg quality, serum biomarkers, and intestinal morphology.

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of 3% (G3), 6% (G6), and 9% (G9) dietary defatted black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) meal on 288 Hy-Line Brown laying hens over 210&#x202f;days. While egg production and weight showed no significant differences (&#x202f;>&#x202f;0.05), feed-to-egg ratios increased in higher inclusion groups (G6, G9) versus 0% control (G0) during later phases (&#x202f;<&#x202f;0.01). G6 exhibited enhanced eggshell strength versus G0 (&#x202f;<&#x202f;0.05), while G3 demonstrated thicker eggshells than all groups (&#x202f;<&#x202f;0.05). Serum analysis revealed G3 had superior total antioxidant capacity and lower lipid peroxidation versus G0 and G9 (&#x202f;<&#x202f;0.05), along with elevated gonadotropin-releasing hormone levels compared to G9 (&#x202f;<&#x202f;0.05). Intestinal morphology remained unaffected across treatments. The 3% BSFL inclusion optimally balanced eggshell quality and antioxidant status under isoenergetic-isoprotein conditions, supporting its viability as a sustainable protein source in poultry diets. Findings advocate BSFL meal as an eco-friendly feed alternative, with 3% identified as the most effective inclusion rate.