Voluntary Feed Intake and Egg Quality Traits of Caged vs Cage-free Layers as Affected by Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens L.) Larvae Supplementation

The study examined the impact of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) supplementation on the voluntary feed intake (VFI) and egg quality traits of Dekalb White layers in a caged and cage-free housing system. Ninety-six (96) hens were experimentally manipulated according to a 2x3 factorial design, examining the effects of two independent variables: housing system (caged or cage-free) and the proportion of BSFL in the diet (0%, 10%, 20%). Uncaged birds with 0% BSFL showed significantly higher VFI (p<0.05). Analysis of egg quality revealed a significant interaction effect (p < 0.05) for egg shape index (ESI) only, where caged hens on a 0% BSFL diet attained the maximum value. Yolk weight and yolk color were significantly higher in uncaged hens receiving 20% BSFL (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the uncaged housing system independently exhibited significant effects on egg weight, egg height, egg width, shell weight, shell thickness, and albumen weight (p < 0.05). The yolk-albumen ratio, however, did not differ significantly across treatments (p > 0.05). It was concluded that both housing systems and BSFL levels exert significant effects on the VFI and egg quality traits of layer chickens.