The trial is in collaboration with Harper Adams University and Flybox, who supply the larvae live, with 3 days’ supply delivered to the farm at a time. Flybox have committed to supply the larvae until the end of the flock to ensure consistency for the birds to avoid stress.
The birds are fed the larvae once a day and at the same time each day, at 11am. The larvae are tipped into the scratch area and each feed provides 2g larvae per bird. The vast majority of birds jump down into the scratch area to eat the larvae which are consumed very quickly.
Harper Adams University visit the site to conduct lifecycle assessments and scientific measurements as well as reviewing flock data collected by the farm. These include the review of data, such as production, egg weight, egg mass, water intake and mortality, as well as observing the bird’s behaviour, feather score and comparing these measures to the other house. Flybox are working towards regulatory approval to allow insect protein to be used in compound feed rations for poultry.
It is too early to draw any conclusions from this trial, but initial observations are that the birds fed the larvae very quickly learnt to anticipate being fed the larvae and as a consequence are noisier and not as relaxed as the control house.
It is clear that the birds love the larvae, and careful management is required to avoid stress. For example, it would not be possible to miss a day’s larvae as the birds now expect it.
The farmer is hoping to see benefits to feather cover through this enrichment and reduced feed intake, although accepts this is unlikely feeding just 2g per bird per day.
It will be interesting to review the data at the end of the flock.