Effect of dietary replacement of fishmeal by insect meal on growth performance, blood profiles and economics of growing pigs in Kenya

Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

Animals

Name of Author

• Shaphan Y. Chia, Wageningen University & Research
• Chrysantus M. Tanga, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
• Isaac M. Osuga, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
• Alphonce O. Alaru, Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization
• David M. Mwangi, Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization
• Macdonald Githinji, Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization
• Sevgan Subramanian, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
• Komi K.M. Fiaboe, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture Yaounde
• Sunday Ekesi, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
• Joop J.A. van Loon, Wageningen University & Research
• Marcel Dicke, Wageningen University & Research

Publication Date

10-1-2019

Abstract

Pig production is one of the fastest growing livestock sectors. Development of this sector is hampered by rapidly increasing costs of fishmeal (FM), which is a common protein source in animal feeds. Here, we explored the potential of substituting FM with black soldier fly larval meal (BSFLM) on growth and blood parameters of pigs as well as economic aspects. At weaning, 40 hybrid pigs, i.e., crossbreeds of purebred Large White and Landrace were randomly assigned to five iso-nitrogenous and iso-energetic dietary treatments: Control (0% BSFLM and 100% FM (T0)), and FM replaced at 25% (T25), 50% (T50), 75% (T75) and 100% (T100) with BSFLM. Average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated for the whole trial. Hematological and serum biochemical parameters, the cost– benefit ratio (CBR) and return on investment (RoI) were evaluated. No significant effect of diet type was observed on feed intake and daily weight gain. Red or white blood cell indices did not differ among diets. Pigs fed T25, T75 and T100, had lower platelet counts compared to T0 and T50. Dietary inclusion of BSFLM did not affect blood total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein. CBR and RoI were similar for the various diets. In conclusion, BSFLM is a suitable and cost-effective alternative to fishmeal in feed for growing pigs.

Keywords

Alternative protein, Animal feeds, Blood parameters, Cost benefit analysis, Growing pigs, Insect larval meal, Return on investment

Recommended Citation

Chia, S., Tanga, C., Osuga, I., Alaru, A., Mwangi, D., Githinji, M., Subramanian, S., Fiaboe, K., Ekesi, S., van Loon, J., & Dicke, M. (2019). Effect of dietary replacement of fishmeal by insect meal on growth performance, blood profiles and economics of growing pigs in Kenya. Animals, 9 (10) https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9100705

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.