Use of non-conventional protein resources in the diet to improve zootechnical performances in poultry

Traditional avian production in developing countries is experiencing low productivity, of which one of the major causes is the absence or insufficiency of protein in their diet. The conventional sources of such proteins are vegetable seeds and their cakes (peanut, soy, etc.), fish or meat meal, etc. This bibliographical synthesis focuses on the reproductive performance of traditional hens, followed in real life or in station then alternative food resources that represent insects, other edible invertebrates and other unconventional plant food resources and finally the improvements induced by these resources on the performance of poultry. Among the most targeted invertebrates today for this new protein approach are fly larvae or maggots. The maggots of house flies (Musca domestica) and black soldier flies (Hermetia illucens) are favored because of the ease of their production and the size of their biomass. These resources constitute a sustainable solution in animal feed but are classified in little-known and unknown sources of animal or vegetable proteins. Most of these protein resources are still inexpensive, can’t compete with human food and their production or use has a negligible negative impact on the environment.