# Effect of Meal and Whole Larvae of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) on the Performance, Blood Lipid Profile, Slaughter Characteristics, Sensory Properties and Fatty Acid Composition of Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus L.) Muscles

## TL;DR

This study shows that black soldier fly products can replace soybean meal in pheasant diets without negative effects on performance or meat quality.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates the feasibility of using black soldier fly meal or larvae as a soybean meal substitute in pheasant feed.

## Key findings

- Replacing 50% or 100% of soybean meal with black soldier fly products did not negatively affect pheasant performance or slaughter characteristics.
- BSF meal or larvae can be used as a viable alternative to soybean meal in pheasant diets.
- The replacement did not alter the sensory properties or fatty acid composition of pheasant muscles.

## Abstract

The composition and nutritional value of the pheasant diet can significantly impact egg yield, chick survival rate, and the nutritional and dietary value of eggs and meat. The present study determined the effectiveness of replacing 50% or 100% of soybean meal with black soldier fly (BSF) products in the form of meal or whole dried larvae on the performance and slaughter characteristics, blood lipid profile, sensory properties, and fatty acid composition of the muscles of the pheasant (Phasianus colchicus L.), considering gender. The study showed that BSF products can successfully replace between 50% and 100% of soybean meal.

Insect meal can be a valuable component of poultry diets, both during rearing and fattening, as well as for laying hens. Regarding protein feeds, the most commonly used are oil meals from soy and/or rapeseed, along with certain animal-derived feeds like fish meal. Recent years have seen considerable interest in the use of insect products in poultry nutrition. Insect meal has a high protein content with a favourable amino acid profile, similar to that of traditional animal-derived raw materials or soybean meal. The present study aimed to determine the effect of replacing 50% or 100% of soybean meal with black soldier fly (BSF) products, in the form of meal or whole dried larvae, on the performance and slaughter characteristics, blood lipid profile, sensory properties, and fatty acid composition of pheasant muscle, considering gender. The study showed that irrespective of the type of BSF products (e.g., meal or whole dried larvae), they can be successfully used to replace soybean meal, which is most commonly available commercially in the form containing GMOs. Further research is needed into optimising the proportion of BSF products in feed rations and their impact on the performance, as well as the quality of meat and eggs.