Author Description

Successful inclusion of black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) in the diet of broilers and laying hens requires a precise determination of its nutritional value. These issues are discussed in the first part of this chapter together with the current understanding of amino acid content, amino acid digestibility and metabolizable energy of BSFLM. The chapter continues with an overview of the effects of dietary inclusion of different types of BSFLM on the performance and health of broilers and laying hens. The chapter concludes with an assessment of the current use of insects as feed and the future prospects of these promising alternative protein sources in poultry feed.