Could Insect Products Provide a Safe and Sustainable Feed Alternative for the Poultry Industry? A Comprehensive Review

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Insects are among the most numerous and abundant animal species on the planet. They are currently regarded as the most promising and sustainable source of animal protein, owing to their abundance and nutritional value. Edible insect products are considered eco-friendly nutraceuticals that have several positive effects on poultry production, such as improved body weight for broilers and egg production in layers. Therefore, these products have the potential to be sustainable food ingredients for poultry farming, based on the information presented in this review. ABSTRACT: The planet is home to more than 2000 species of edible insects, some of which have been consumed as food for many years. Recently, edible insect products have been gradually increasing in several countries, such as Italy and Egypt, as novel feed resources for humans and animals due to their availability, potential economic benefits, and high nutritive value. The insect industry can provide a new solution for livestock nutrition and offer many additional advantages, but there are obstacles to overcome, such as some nutritional organizations that forbid its usage. Nevertheless, previous research indicates that different insect species could be used safely as nutraceuticals in poultry farming to improve broiler growth performance (>3%) and layer egg production (>5%). Among these species, there are various products and extracts that can be used in poultry nutrition in a sustainable manner. This review provides an outline of insect composition, nutrient values, application in poultry feed, safety, and guidelines, and finally, the future perspectives of insects as an alternative feed source in poultry diets.