Partial and Total Replacement of Soybean Meal with Full-Fat Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens L.) Larvae Meal in Broiler Chicken Diets: Impact on Growth Performance, Carcass Quality and Meat Quality

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The requirement of valuable protein sources for a continuously growing human population and the simultaneous decrease in available areas suitable for agricultural production present a serious future global challenge. This has prompted many researchers to take action to look for alternative sources of protein—including the use of insects. Among insects, black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L., HI) larvae are a promising alternative for future sustainable nutrient sources as both feed and food. This is a very promising species to be used in poultry nutrition. Unfortunately, the results of the present study reveal that the replacement of soybean meal with high levels (50%, 75% or 100%) of full-fat HI meal in the diets of broiler chickens throughout the rearing period is unfavorable. The results of this study show that broiler chickens fed diets with high inclusion levels of HI larvae meal consumed less feed than birds fed standard diets, which was reflected in lower average daily gain. The replacement of soybean meal protein with HI larvae meal in broiler chicken diets at above 50% significantly deteriorates carcass quality and the sensory quality of meat. ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to compare selected growth performance parameters and slaughter characteristics in broiler chickens fed diets with a different content of full-fat Hermetia illucens L. (HI) larvae meal. The experiment was performed on 384 male broiler chickens (Ross 308) reared to 42 d of age and assigned to four dietary treatments (HI0—control diet and diets where soybean meal protein (SBM) was replaced with HI protein in 50%, 75% and 100%, respectively). The final body weights of chickens were as follows: 3010.0 g (HI0), 2650.0 g (HI50), 2590.0 g (HI75) and 2375.0 g (H100, p < 0.05). The carcasses of chickens from the experimental groups contained less meat and more abdominal fat. The feed conversion ratio for the entire experimental period was similar in groups HI0, HI50 and HI75 and more desirable than in group HI100 (p < 0.05). The meat of broiler chickens from groups HI75 and HI100 was characterized by significantly (p < 0.05) lower juiciness and taste intensity than the meat of birds from groups HI0 and HI50. The replacement of SBM protein with full-fat HI larvae meal in broiler diets exceeding 50% significantly compromised the growth performance of birds and the carcass and meat quality.