Dietary Replacement of Fish Meal with Black Soldier Fly Larvae Supports Sustainable Pig Diets

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from Yanbian University, in collaboration with Asian-australasian Assoc Animal Production Soc, have conducted a study to evaluate the effects of replacing fish meal with black soldier fly (BSF) larvae in weaning pig diets. The experiment involved 160 weaning pigs, assigned to four treatments based on sex and initial body weight, with five replicates of eight pigs per pen in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The study found no significant differences among the treatment groups in body weight and average daily gain during the experimental period. However, an increased tendency of average daily feed intake (ADFI) was observed, and gain-to-feed (G:F) ratio tended to decrease as the replacement rate of fish meal with BSF larvae increased.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary replacement of fish meal with black soldier fly (BSF) larvae on growth performance, blood profiles, immune response, and diarrhea incidence in weaning pigs.
  • A total of 160 weaning pigs were assigned to four treatments based on sex and initial body weight, with five replicates of eight pigs per pen in a randomized complete block design (RCBD).
  • The control group consisted of a corn-soybean-based diet containing fish meal (FM) 4%, while the other groups had FM replaced with BSF larvae at 25%, 50%, and 100%.
  • The study found no significant differences among the treatment groups in body weight and average daily gain during the experimental period.
  • However, an increased tendency of ADFI was observed, and G:F ratio tended to decrease as the replacement rate of fish meal with BSF larvae increased.
  • Defatted BSF larvae can replace up to 50% of FM in weaning pig diets without detrimental effects on performance, blood metabolites, or immune response.
  • The findings suggest that BSF larvae could be a sustainable and effective replacement for fish meal in pig diets.

Statistics:

  • 160 weaning pigs were involved in the study.
  • The experiment lasted for 4 weeks, divided into two phases (0-2 weeks and 3-4 weeks).
  • BSF larvae replaced fish meal at 0, 25, 50, and 100% for phase I.
  • The study found no significant differences among the treatment groups in body weight and average daily gain during the experimental period.
  • ADPI increased by 9% with an increase in BSF larvae level.
  • G:F ratio decreased by 6% with an increase in BSF larvae level.

Sources:

  • Effects of dietary replacement of fish meal by defatted black soldier fly larvae on growth performance, blood profiles, immune response, and diarrhea incidence in weaning pigs. Animal Bioscience, 2025.
  • Asian-australasian Assoc Animal Production Soc, Room 708 Sammo Sporex, 1638-32, Seowon-Dong, Gwanak-Gu, Seoul 151-730, South Korea.
  • Jin Xing Hao, College of Agriculture, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin 133000, China, Yanji, People's Republic of China.
  • Noh Soo Duc, Jang Min Hyuk, Park Min Soo, and Kim Yoo Yong.