Exploring the Feasibility of Insect-Based Feed Ingredients for Broiler Chickens

Recent concerns regarding environmental impact and rising feed costs have intensified the search for sustainable protein and lipid sources in animal nutrition, particularly for poultry, swine, and aquaculture. Among the various alternatives under investigation, insects have gained significant attention due to their low environmental emissions and favorable nutritional characteristics. Numerous insects, such as mealworms, grasshoppers, crickets, housefly maggots, silkworm pupae, bloodworms, and black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), have been evaluated as potential feed ingredients for broiler diets. These insects are valued for their high concentrations of protein, lipids, and bioactive components with antimicrobial functions. Among various insects, BSFL have attracted particular attention for their ability to convert organic waste into biomass and for their lipid, which is rich in medium-chain fatty acids such as lauric acids. This review evaluates the existing literature involving BSFL to assess their impact on broiler diets. Previous studies have reported that BSFL powder, meal, and oil can partially or fully substitute conventional protein and lipid sources without compromising growth performance in broiler chickens. Moreover, inclusion of BSFL has been shown to influence fatty acid composition and meat quality depending on the form (powder, full-fat meal, defatted meal, and oil) and inclusion level. Therefore, BSFL are regarded as one of the most promising candidates for sustainable broiler diets.