Unconventional feed in the diets of nonproductive animals

The purpose of the research was to evaluate the eff ect of including black soldier fl y larvae meal Hermetia illucens in extruded feed of dogs on nutrient digestibility and dietary nitrogen use. Nutrient digestibility and dietary nitrogen usage were evaluated when 8 and 15 % by weight of total protein content of black soldier fl y larvae (Hermetia illucens) were included in the extruded feed of dogs. The dogs of Siberian husky breed were the object of research. The digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, raw protein, raw fi ber, and nitrogen-free extractives was higher in the group of dogs fed Hermetia illucens larvae meal (p < 0.05), while the digestibility of fat was higher in the control group (p < 0.05). Nitrogen digestibility in the test group of dogs fed 15 % Hermetia illucens larvae meal was by 25.75 % higher than the 8 % Hermetia illucens larvae diet and by 9.26 % higher than the control group. Nitrogen efficiency in the group of dogs fed the diet with 15 % meal of Hermetia illucens larvae in the formulation was also by 44.78 % higher than the group with 8 % meal of Hermetia illucens larvae in the formulation and by 16.89 % higher than the control group. Nitrogen digestibility was more dependent on dietary protein quality characteristics. It has been shown that the meal of Hermetia illucens larvae is a high-quality alternative source of protein and can be recommended for inclusion in diets of dogs.