Influence of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae feeding on carcass characteristics of Gramasree hens

The study on the evaluation of carcass characteristics of Gramasree hens by feeding fresh black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) as soya bean meal replacer at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 per cent levels was carried out at University Poultry and Duck Farm, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala, for a period of 8 weeks. Eighty numbers of 40 week old Gramasree hens were allotted to five treatment groups with four replicates each and with four birds in each replicate. Slaughter parameters like pre-slaughter body weight, dressing percentage and eviscerated percentage were not affected by the inclusion of fresh BSFL. Abdominal fat was significantly (p<0.05) lower in BSFL fed groups compared to control. Breast yield was significantly (p<0.05) lower in 75 and 100 per cent groups compared to control. No significant difference was noticed in thighs yield. Drumsticks yield was significantly (p<0.05) lower in 50 per cent group and wing yield was significantly (p<0.05) lower in 50 and 100 per cent replacement groups compared to control. The heart, liver and gizzard yield were not affected by BSFL feeding. This study concludes that although fresh BSFL contains higher percentage of ether extract, the presence of chitin and chitosan prevents the abdominal fat deposition and also influences certain carcass characteristics negatively.