Volume: 4, 2025
4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: A028
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.A028
Published online: 9 April 2025
ICDSUPL, 4, A028 (2025)
Hermetia illucens full-fat meal affects the tibia of young turkeys
Piotr Szymkowiak1*, Muhammad Rumman Aslam1, Patrycja Zawisza2, Łukasz Gala2, Bartosz Kierończyk1
1 Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wołyńska 33, 60-647 Poznań, Poland
2 Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Krakowska 1, 32-083 Balice, Poland
* Corresponding author: piotr.szymkowiak@up.poznan.pl
Abstract
Bird welfare in poultry production is closely linked to skeletal issues. As daily body weight gain increases due to breeding advancements, the center of gravity shifts forward, and the load on the leg bones increases. However, there are limited data on the effects of alternative protein feed sources, such as insect meals, on growth performance and bone quality, particularly in the context of protein deficiency in animal nutrition. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the dose-dependent effects of the addition of full-fat Hermetia illucens larval meal to young turkeys’ diets on selected morphological and mechanical parameters of the tibial bones. In the experiment, 432 one-day-old female turkeys were fed for 28 days and randomly assigned to four treatment groups (12 replications, 9 birds in each). The following experimental design was used: a control diet HI0 (with no addition of insect meal), HI5 (5% insect meal), HI10 (10% insect meal), and HI15 (15% insect meal). At the end of the trial, the bones were collected and measured via an electronic caliper. A three-point bending test was used to determine the mechanical properties of the tibia bone (n = 14). A significant increase in bone mass relative to body weight was observed in the HI15 compared with the control group. No significant differences were observed in tibia volume, density, or length. However, tibia anterior-posterior curvature (TAPE) was lower in the HI5 and HI15 groups compared to HI0 and HI10. The HI10 group showed the greatest width at the proximal (20%) of the bone length, while the distal width was reduced in the HI5 and HI15 groups compared to HI0. However, the HI15 presented the lowest value for the maximum force (FH) required to break the bones compared with all the other groups and the lowest tensile stress (RH) compared with HI0 and HI5. In terms of elastic displacement, a dose-dependent effect was observed in the experimental treatments, whereas the control group did not differ from HI5. The highest inclusion level of insect meal in the turkey diets resulted in a decrease in the Young’s modulus value compared with those of the control group and the 5% H. illucens addition group. In conclusion, the administration of full-fat H. illucens larval meal up to 10% had no detrimental effects on the mechanical properties of the tibial bones. However, the use of 15% of this alternative feed material may have negative effects, potentially reducing bird welfare.
Keywords: insect, black soldier fly, poultry, alternative protein, bone strength
How to cite
P. Szymkowiak, M.R. Aslam, P. Zawisza, Ł. Gala, B. Kierończyk, 2025. Hermetia illucens full-fat meal affects the tibia of young turkeys. In: 4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.A028