Economic efficiency of alternative protein in the feeding of broiler chickens

The use of alternative protein sources in feed production is a promising direction for increasing the productivity of farm animals and reducing costs. The purpose of the research was to assess the effect of protein concentrate from Hermetia illucens larvae on the productive characteristics of poultry, growth dynamics, feed conversion ratio, slaughter parameters, as well as the economic feasibility of its use in industrial poultry farming. A production test was carried out including the formation of two groups of broilers with 100 heads in each, where the experimental group received compound feed with fish meal (75 %) replaced by protein concentrate. The results showed that the average live weight of broilers in the experimental group by the 35th day increased by 127.8 g (2193.5 g versus 2065.7 g in the control group), the average daily weight gain was 61.54 g (+3.64 g), and feed costs per 1 kg of gain decreased from 1.50 to 1.40 kg. The slaughter yield also increased (from 71.28 to 74.97 %), which confirmed the high nutritional value of the tested concentrate. The assessment of economic efficiency showed a decrease in the cost of compound feed by 3.40 rubles/kg and an increase in the level of profitability of production from 8.1 to 23.6 %. The introduction of protein concentrate based on Hermetia illucens larvae in poultry feed diets demonstrates a positive effect, since the productive characteristics of the livestock are increased, feed costs are optimized and production profitability increases. These factors justify the need for largescale use of this ingredient in industrial feed production as an innovative tool for sustainable development of the industry. The use of protein concentrate from Hermetia illucens larvae helps to increase poultry productivity, reduce feeding costs and increase production profitability, which confirms the prospects for its implementation in industrial feed production.