Effects of Black Soldier Fly Larvae as Replacement of Soybean Meal on the Performance, Meat Quality, and Health Status in Broilers

This study investigated the potential of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) meal to replace soybean meal in broiler diets by evaluating growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and blood biochemical responses. A total of 160 ten-day old Ross 708 chicks (216.74 ± 0.74, g) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments containing 0%, 20%, 40%, or 60% BSFL meal replacing soybean meal on a 100% equivalent basis, respectively, and evaluated during the starter (10–21 days), grower (21–42 days), and overall (10–42 days) phases. Carcass characteristics, meat color, and blood biochemistry were assessed on day 42. Data was analyzed using polynomial (linear and quadratic) contrasts. Increasing dietary BSFL levels resulted in significant reductions in body weight, average daily gain, and feed intake, while the feed conversion ratio increased linearly. Carcass yield decreased to higher inclusion levels, accompanied by a marked increase in gizzard weight. Meat color (L*, a*, b*) remained largely unchanged across treatments. Blood biochemical analysis revealed linear and quadratic shifts in key metabolites, enzymes, and electrolytes, including reductions in aspartate aminotransferase, bilirubin, and creatine phosphokinase, as well as altered calcium and phosphorus concentrations. Overall, BSFL meal inclusion as 20% replacement improved growth performance and stimulated beneficial lipid and protein metabolism adaptations in broilers.