Utilization of Hermetia illucens Maggot Meal as a Sustainable Agricultural Feed Ingredient in Corn–Rice Bran-Based Rations to Improve External Egg Quality of KUB Chickens
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The increasing cost of conventional protein feed ingredients has encouraged the development of sustainable agricultural feed resources for poultry production. Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) maggot meal is a potential alternative feed ingredient because it contains protein, amino acids, lipids, minerals, and functional nutrients, while also supporting nutrient recycling in agricultural systems. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of H. illucens maggot meal substitution in corn–rice bran-based rations on the external egg quality of Kampung Unggul Balitbangtan (KUB) chickens. A total of 64 KUB chickens aged 20 weeks were used in a completely randomized design with four treatments and four replications. Each experimental unit consisted of four chickens. The dietary treatments were P0, basal ration without maggot meal; P1, ration containing 5% maggot meal; P2, ration containing 10% maggot meal; and P3, ration containing 15% maggot meal. The observed parameters were egg weight, egg index, eggshell thickness, and shell color. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance, followed by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at the 5% significance level. Maggot meal substitution significantly affected egg weight and eggshell thickness but did not significantly affect egg index or shell color. Egg weight increased from 38.90 ± 1.28 g in P0 to 44.60 ± 0.54 g in P3, while eggshell thickness increased from 0.344 ± 0.013 mm to 0.389 ± 0.006 mm. These findings indicate that H. illucens maggot meal can be used as a sustainable agricultural feed ingredient up to 15% in KUB chicken rations to improve external egg quality, particularly egg weight and eggshell thickness
Source: Jurnal Agroekoteknologi Terapan
Institution: Politeknik Pembangunan Pertanian Gowa
Language: English
Subfield: Insect Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7203779871