Effects Of Replacing Dietary Fishmeal With Maggots On Performance And Nutrient Retention Of Laying Hens

Abstract

Laying hens (53 weeks old) were fed a basal diet with 9% fish meal and diets in which housefly maggots (Musca domestica, Linn) replaced 33.3, 66.7 and 100% of the fish meal in the basal diet during a 6-week trial period. 

Average daily feed intake were 125.1, 115.1, 109.1 and 105.7g respectively (P<0.05). 

Corresponding total weight gain per bird during the trial period were 210, 180, 20 and 37g respectively (P<0.05). There was however no significant effects of increasing dietary level of maggots on egg production, egg weight or feed/dozen eggs (P>0.05). There was also no significant effects of the treatments on protein or fat retention by laying hens. It is concluded that housefly maggots could replace fish meal (9%) in layer's diet without detrimental effects on their performance. Maggots is a cheap alternative to fishmeal in laying hen diets, the cost of its production being only 15% of the equivalent weight of fishmeal.