Pigs are one of the subsectors of the livestock industry that are expanding the quickest. Because pig feed makes up 23% of the world’s output, it is important to think about how switching to more sustainable feed components might increase the sustainability of the pig industry as a whole. Compared to conventional protein sources, insects are a more ecologically friendly feed element. The larvae of Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL, Hermetia illucens) are an excellent candidate for protein and lipid sources. This study aims to assess the growth parameters and behavior of piglets receiving larvae meal (LM) in the diet and/ or live larvae (LL) in addition to environmental enrichment. A total of 96 piglets, 28 days of age, were individually weighed and allocated to different treatments and were kept in small collective pens (6 piglets each). The trial lasted 39 days and there were 4 experimental groups, each comprising 4 replications: a control group (C), a control group with live larvae (CLL), a group was given larvae meal (LM), the last group was given both live larvae and larvae meal (LMLL). BSF larval meal was included at 6%, while the live larvae were administered separately at increasing levels during the trial up to a maximum of 600 gr/pens (100 gr/piglets). The piglets at the end of the experiment were individually weighed, the average daily gain (ADG) was computed, and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated using the feed intake. Video recordings were done to get data on the behavioral research. The quantity and duration of the events will be analyzed when the video data has been processed. Preliminary results from this research show that the administration of larval meal, as well as live larvae to piglets in the post-weaning, does not have significant effects (P>0.05) on growth performance (live weight, average daily gain, feed conversion ratio). Although growth performance was not affected by the addition of live larvae, the piglets showed great interest in this feed. Video recording analysis will allow us to evaluate the use of live larvae in terms of behavior and well-being.
Belperio, S., Meneguz, M., Martelli, G., Nannoni, E., Cattaneo, A., Dabbou, S., et al. (2023). Different uses of Hermetia illucens in the post-weaning piglets [10.1163/23524588-20241013].
Different uses of Hermetia illucens in the post-weaning piglets
Belperio, S.;Martelli, G.;Nannoni, E.;Sardi, L.
2023
Abstract
Pigs are one of the subsectors of the livestock industry that are expanding the quickest. Because pig feed makes up 23% of the world’s output, it is important to think about how switching to more sustainable feed components might increase the sustainability of the pig industry as a whole. Compared to conventional protein sources, insects are a more ecologically friendly feed element. The larvae of Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL, Hermetia illucens) are an excellent candidate for protein and lipid sources. This study aims to assess the growth parameters and behavior of piglets receiving larvae meal (LM) in the diet and/ or live larvae (LL) in addition to environmental enrichment. A total of 96 piglets, 28 days of age, were individually weighed and allocated to different treatments and were kept in small collective pens (6 piglets each). The trial lasted 39 days and there were 4 experimental groups, each comprising 4 replications: a control group (C), a control group with live larvae (CLL), a group was given larvae meal (LM), the last group was given both live larvae and larvae meal (LMLL). BSF larval meal was included at 6%, while the live larvae were administered separately at increasing levels during the trial up to a maximum of 600 gr/pens (100 gr/piglets). The piglets at the end of the experiment were individually weighed, the average daily gain (ADG) was computed, and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated using the feed intake. Video recordings were done to get data on the behavioral research. The quantity and duration of the events will be analyzed when the video data has been processed. Preliminary results from this research show that the administration of larval meal, as well as live larvae to piglets in the post-weaning, does not have significant effects (P>0.05) on growth performance (live weight, average daily gain, feed conversion ratio). Although growth performance was not affected by the addition of live larvae, the piglets showed great interest in this feed. Video recording analysis will allow us to evaluate the use of live larvae in terms of behavior and well-being.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
