Effects of live black soldier fly and yellow mealworm larvae supplementation on slaughter performance and meat composition of Muscovy ducks

The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of dietary supplementation with live black soldier fly (BSF) and yellow mealworm (YMW) larvae on Muscovy duck slaughter performance, meat quality (pH, color, water holding capacity, and shear force), proximate composition, and fatty acid profile. A total of 126 female Muscovy ducks were split into three groups: control (commercial feed only), BSF (commercial feed + BSF larvae), and YMW (commercial feed + mealworm larvae). At 55 days of age, the slaughter weight and meat quality of female Muscovy ducks were assessed. The results showed the absence of any differences in slaughter performance or meat quality traits between the groups with the exception of the thigh meat proximate composition. Indeed, moisture content was lower in thigh meat of the two insect-fed groups compared with the control group, while the crude protein content was higher in BSF and YMW than control birds (P < 0.05). We also observed a higher proportion of C12:0 in meat from BSF birds, while C14:0 and C16:1 n7 were higher in the thigh meat of the insect-fed groups compared with the control group (P < 0.05). This study confirms that providing Muscovy ducks with live insect larvae does not compromise the overall quality of the meat from these birds.