Impacts of Tenebrio molitor Larval Meal on Zootechnical Performance, Biochemical Indices, and Intestinal Morphometry in Broiler Chickens

Abstract

Protein resources availability is a major challenge for poultry farming in Sub-Saharan Africa. Insects such as Tenebrio molitor (T. molitor), known as yellow mealworm, which are rich in high-quality protein, offer a promising solution. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of T. molitor larvae meal as an alternative protein source in broiler chicken diets. A total of 375 day-old hybrid broiler chickens (Crossbreeding of Sasso and Faso) were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments. Each treatment included five replicates with 15 chickens. During the 12-week study period, from hatching to the finishing phase, five dietary treatments were administered, including T. molitor larvae meal at 4% (TM4%), 6% (TM6%), 8% (TM8), black soldier fly larvae meal at 8% (BSF8), and as the control diet, fish meal at 8% (FM8). Biochemical parameters, including total protein, albumin, triglycerides, and cholesterol, as well as the small intestinal weight and length, and zootechnic performance such as feed intake, body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio (FCR), were measured. The current results indicated that feed consumption did not differ significantly among the treatments. However, the live weight of broiler chickens in TM8 was significantly higher in the finisher phase compared to other treatments, and their weight gain was higher in the grower and finisher phases. The FCR was significantly lower in the TM8 during the finisher phase than in other treatments. Carcass yield and gut length were significantly higher in the TM8. Total protein and albumin did not differ significantly among all groups. Cholesterol and triglyceride levels in TM6 were significantly higher than other groups. The incorporation of T. molitor meal at 8% inclusion level is recommended for broiler chicken feed.