The Role of Black Soldier Fly Larvae in Optimizing Performance and Amino Acid Composition in Thai Native Chicken

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) inclusion on the performance, economic return, carcass traits, meat quality, amino acid profile, and purine content in the breast meat of Thai native chickens (TNCs) (Pradu Hang Dam Mor Kor 55: PD) from 10 to 70 days of age. A total of <b>216 ten-day-old PD chickens (108 males and 108 females)</b> were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments with four replicates per treatment (18 birds per replicate, with a 1:1 male-to-female ratio). The treatments included (T1) control diet with soybean meal as the main protein source, (T2) 10% BSFL meal replacing soybean meal, and (T3) 12% BSFL meal replacing soybean meal. The results showed that BSFL inclusion had no significant effect on overall growth performance (<i>p</i> > 0.05), but it reduced abdominal fat and feed cost per gain while improving economic returns (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Additionally, BSFL increased some breast meat amino acid profiles, such as serine, glutamic acid, threonine, arginine, and lysine (<i>p</i> < 0.05), and increased total purine content (<i>p</i> < 0.05), although the values were still within the safe limit for human consumption. These results suggest that BSFL can be used as a sustainable alternative protein source in Thai native chicken diets without compromising product performance or quality.