The use of silkworm pupae (Bombyx mori) meal as an alternative protein source for poultry

SUMMARY Feed accounts for 65–70% of total rearing costs in poultry farming. Animal protein is the most expensive component in poultry feed accounting for 15% of the total cost. In many localities, fishmeal is a traditional animal protein used for poultry feed production, but it is expensive and reduces the expected profit from poultry farming. On the other hand, excessive demand for poultry meat and eggs has augmented the need for new feed components to sustain the intensive poultry industry. Thus, the feed industry requires an alternative digestible protein source with a suitable amino acid profile to replace traditional protein sources. Silkworm pupae in this regard have some promising advantages. Silkworm pupae are agro-industrial by-products with higher nutritional content having a crude protein content of 50–80% in defatted meals with a considerable amount of methionine (2–3% of protein), lysine (6–16% of protein) and lipids (21–38%). In addition, silkworm pupae meal (SWPM) contains a high ratio of important fatty acids and minerals (particularly calcium and phosphorus). SWPM has been successfully integrated as a feed element in poultry ration. The main goal of this study is to emphasise the importance of SWPM as a cost-effective protein for the poultry industry, as opposed to other expensive traditional protein sources and clarify the impact of SWPM supplementation on broiler chickens’ performance.