The role of insects for poultry feed: present and future perspective

Insects have application in poultry feed because of their capacity to sustainably repurpose wastes into nutrient-dense feeds, combined with the demand for poultry meat and eggs in the diets of the growing human population. Additionally, poultry naturally consumes insects, thus insects may enhance poultry welfare. Several insects are commercially reared including the house cricket (Acheta domesticus L.), yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.), and black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens L.). Insect nutrient concentrations are affected by species, stage of development, feedstock on which they are raised, and processing method. Insects are a concentrated source of energy and protein with an excellent balance of essential amino acids, of which methionine levels are higher than standard corn and soybean meal sources commonly utilized in poultry diets. Because they are readily eaten and well utilized by poultry, insects are an effective source of nutrition in poultry feed for a burgeoning world population.