Nutritional evaluation of cuticle-intact and cuticle-removed silkworm (Bombyx mori) pupae meal in poultry diets: effects on production performance and fatty acid profiles of meat and eggs

Introduction Silkworm ( Bombyx mori ) pupae meal (SWPM), a by-product of sericulture, is rich in high-quality protein (45–60%) and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). This study evaluated the effects of graded inclusion levels of cuticle-intact (SWPM-CI) and cuticle-removed (SWPM-CR) silkworm pupae meal on productive performance and fatty acid enrichment in broilers and laying hens. Methods A total of 560 broiler chicks (1–35 days) and 336 White Leghorn laying hens (24–39 weeks) were assigned to seven dietary treatments in a completely randomised design. Diets were formulated to be iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous, with SWPM included at 0, 2, 4, and 6% (SWPM-CI or SWPM-CR), replacing soybean meal on a protein-equivalent basis. Growth performance, egg production, egg quality and fatty acid profiles of breast muscle and egg yolk were evaluated using standard analytical procedures. Results Broilers fed 2% SWPM-CI achieved the highest final body weight gain (1748.25 g/bird), significantly higher ( P < 0.05 ) than the control, while 4% and 6% SWPM-CI also improved growth performance. Feed intake was highest in 4% SWPM-CI (2664.14 g/bird), with feed conversion ratio remaining within acceptable limits across treatments. In laying hens, SWPM inclusion up to 6% had no significant effect ( P > 0.05 ) on hen-day egg production (79.07–85.85%), egg mass (41.49–45.02 g), or feed efficiency (2.31–2.43). Dietary SWPM significantly increased n-3 PUFA in both broiler meat and egg yolk ( P < 0.001 ). Total n-3 fatty acids increased to 6.12% in broiler breast muscle and 5.63% in egg yolk at 6% SWPM-CR inclusion. Consequently, the n-6:n-3 ratio decreased from 10.02 in the control to 3.42 in broiler meat and 10.01 to 2.19 in eggs. Conclusion Silkworm pupae meal can be included in poultry diets up to 6% without adverse effects on performance while substantially improving n-3 fatty acid profiles of meat and eggs. SWPM-CI supported higher body weight gain, although this was associated with increased feed intake, whereas SWPM-CR was more effective in enhancing fatty acid enrichment, highlighting its potential as a functional feed ingredient in poultry nutrition.