Browsing by Author "Van der Merwe, Albertus Jacobus Wilhelmus"
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- ItemChrysomya chloropyga larvae meal as a protein source for broiler nutrition(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-12) Van der Merwe, Albertus Jacobus Wilhelmus; Pieterse, Elsje; Hoffmann, L. C.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of AgriSciences. Dept. of Agronomy.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigated the possibility of using Chrysomya chloropyga (copper bottom blow fly) larvae meal as a protein source in broiler nutrition. At first the chemical composition of the larvae meal was determined before three balanced diets were formulated containing 5%, 10% and 15% larvae meal, along with a maize-soya based control diet. The four diets were fed to 320 day-old Cobb 500 broiler chickens. A three phase feeding system were used i.e. starter (900g per bird), grower (1200g per bird) and finisher (1200g per bird). Each treatment was replicated eight times. The effect of the copper bottom blow fly larvae on the production parameters of broilers were determined. Treatment had no effect on average intake per bird, feed conversion ratio (FCR), European production efficiency factor (EPEF) or livability. Broilers that were fed the 10% inclusion had a slightly higher live weight at slaughter and average daily gain (ADG) than the other three treatments. The chemical, physical, carcass and sensory characteristics were then evaluated. Treatment had no effect on cold carcass weight, dressing percentage, thigh-, drumstick- wing and back yields. The 10% inclusion had a higher breast portion yield than the other treatments. No differences were observed regarding the yields of skin plus fat, muscle or bone percentages. Treatment did not affect meat colour. No differences were observed regarding the initial pH (pHi) of the breast and thigh meat, or the ultimate pH (pHu) of the breast. The pHu of the thigh of the 5% and 15% inclusion were lower than that of the Control and 10% inclusion. The control meat had a higher moisture content and a lower ash content than the three treatment diets. Protein and fat did not differ. No differences regarding the amino acid composition and the mineral composition in the broiler meat were observed. Few differences were observed for sensory attributes of the broiler meat. The 5% inclusion had the highest chicken aroma, the control had the lowest chicken aroma and the 10% and 15% were intermediate. The control had the highest initial juiciness, while the 10% and 15% had significant lower values for initial juiciness. Lastly the organ, gut and tibia bone parameters were evaluated. Treatment had no effect on gizzard erosion and all gizzard scores were normal. Treatment had no effect on gizzard, liver, heart, bursa or spleen weights or the weight of these organs relative to live weight. Treatment had no effect on tibia bone breaking force and tibia bone breaking strength. Treatment had little effect on tibia bone mineral composition, with only a difference in the potassium (K) content; the control had a lower K content than the three larvae fed diets. Overall the study concluded that copper bottom blow fly larvae meal can be used in broiler diets at inclusions levels of up to 15% without any negative effect while 10% inclusion yielded positive results in some instances.