Document type: scientific article published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science
Authors: Chris Onuoha, Ashraf Alkhtib, Dawn Scholey, Emily J. Burton
Preview: The global drive for responsible production and consumption has increased the need for environmental enrichment strategies that promote activity and natural behaviours without compromising growth performance in broiler production. This study evaluated the effects of whole black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) provisioning method (trough or scattered on the litter) as enrichment on growth performance, feeding behaviour, activity and gut development of fast and slower-growing broiler strains (Ross 308 and Hubbard JA 787, respectively). A 2 × 2 full factorial design was used with a total of 320 male broiler chickens, equally representing both strains (8 pens per treatment,10 birds per pen). The birds received 15 g of dehydrated black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) per pen between 09:00 and 11:00 h on days 8, 15, 22, 29, 36, and 42 of age. Growth performance and bird behaviour were recorded for each pen. Two birds/pen were sampled for gut morphometry at the starter, grower and slaughter stages for both Ross 308 and JA 787 birds. The effect of insect provisioning method (scattering and trough feeding) on slaughter bird weight (p = 0.92), overall FCR (p = 0.315), overall weight gain (p = 0.78), and overall feed intake (p = 0.324) was insignificant regardless of bird strain. Scattering BSFL on the litter significantly increased total activity (Δ = 1.02 %, p = 0.018) when compared to trough feeding in the fast-growing (Ross308) broiler strains. There was no significant effect of provisioning method on total activity in the slower-growing broilers. Insect provisioning method had no significant effect on gut development (p ≥ 0.05). It can be concluded that scattering BSFL on the litter increases active behaviours (running, walking, preening, stretching and dustbathing) in the fast-growing broilers without compromising growth performance and gut development. This increase in activity has the potential to improve health and welfare in the fast-growing broilers; however, further study is needed to support these claims.
