| Popis: |
Non-conventional feed ingredients are receiving more interest in their ability to increase farming efficiency, sustainability and animal performance. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal rate of inclusion level of the full-fat black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) in broiler diets and to evaluate their impact on performance, nutrient digestibility, and the immune system (blood cells and intraepithelial lymphocytes). A total of 400 male day-old Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned to 5 treatment groups with 8 replicates each. Five inclusion levels of full-fat BSFL were investigated across starter (0, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10%), grower and finisher diets (0, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%). All diets were formulated based on digestible amino acid values according to the Aviagen (2016) recommendations. A polynomial regression at different degrees was performed to analyse broiler performance parameters (body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio), nutrient digestibility, and blood cell count. Intraepithelial lymphocyte population data was analysed performing univariate linear regression. During the entire experimental period (from 2 to 42 d), BSFL inclusion levels decreased the feed conversion ratio by 10% in broilers that received 20% BSFL in their diets (P |
