Influence of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens L.) Larvae Meal on Growth, Meat Quality and Sensory Attributes of Domesticated Japanese Quails

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of varying concentrations of black soldier fly larvae on domesticated Japanese  quail growth performance, carcass parameters, meat quality, and sensory qualities. A total of 120-day-old unsexed quail chicks were  distributed into three equal groups at random: CON (basic diet without larvae), BSF1 (50 g black soldier fly larvae/kg feed), and BSF2 (100  g black soldier fly larvae/kg feed). Each group included five replicates of eight chicks. On day 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35, measurements were  taken of body weight, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio. Meat quality, sensory characteristics, and carcass features were assessed  at the conclusion of the trial. According to the findings, the BSF2 group performed better in terms of average daily gain, final body  weight, and feed conversion ratio than the BSF1 and CON groups. The BSF2 group outperformed the CON group in terms of slaughter  body weight, eviscerated body weight, dressing %, heart weight, and breast weight. Addition of black soldier fly larvae meal to quail  meat did not influence the meat’s quality or sensory assessment. According to the study, feeding Japanese quails with black soldier fly  larvae at a rate of 100 g/kg of feed would improve their performance.