Thesis (M. Sc. Agriculture (Animal Production)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of replacing soya bean meal
with yellow mealworm larvae meal (Tenebrio molitor) in a diet on productivity, gut
morphology, carcass characteristics and bone morphometrics of Ross 308 broiler
chickens aged one to 42 days. In each experiment, a total of 360 Ross 308 broiler
chickens were randomly assigned to the five dietary treatments, each treatment having
four replications, and 18 chickens per replicate. Five diets were formulated to contain
yellow mealworm replacement levels at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% to meet the nutrient
requirements of Ross 308 broiler chickens. Data was analysed using the General
Linear Model procedures of the Statistical Analysis System, Version 9.3.1 software
program. Fisher’s least significant difference (LSD) test was applied for mean
separation where there were significant differences (P<0.05). A quadratic regression
model was used to determine the levels for optimal responses in the variables
measured.
The first experiment determined the effect of replacing soya bean meal with yellow
mealworm larvae meal on productivity and gut morphology of unsexed Ross 308
broiler chickens aged one to 21 days. Replacement of soya bean meal with yellow
mealworm meal in a diet had no effect (p > 0.05) on feed intake, growth rate, FCR,
live body weight, ME intake and nitrogen retention of unsexed Ross 308 broiler
chickens aged one to 21 days. Replacing soya bean meal with yellow mealworm meal
in a diet did not affect (p > 0.05) caecum weight of unsexed Ross 308 broiler chickens.
However, replacing soya bean meal with yellow mealworm meal in a diet increased (p
< 0.05) gastro intestinal tract, crop, ileum and large intestine weights. Crop and ileum
lengths of unsexed Ross 308 broiler chickens aged 21 days were not affected (p >
0.05) by replacement of soya bean meal with yellow mealworm meal in the diet.
However, replacing soya bean meal with yellow mealworm meal in a diet increased (p
< 0.05) gizzard, caecum and large intestine lengths of unsexed Ross 308 broiler
chickens aged 21 days. Yellow mealworm meal in a diet did not affect (p > 0.05) gut
organ digesta pH values of unsexed Ross 308 broiler chickens aged 21 days.
The second experiment determined the effect of replacing soya bean meal with yellow
mealworm meal in a diet on productivity, gut morphology, carcass characteristics and bone morphometrics of Ross 308 broiler chickens aged 22 to 42 days. Replacement
of soya bean meal with yellow mealworm meal in a diet did not affect (p > 0.05) growth
rate, FCR, ME intake and nitrogen retention of male Ross 308 broiler chickens aged
22 to 42 days. However, replacing soya bean meal with yellow mealworm meal in a
diet affected (p < 0.05) feed intake and live body weight of male Ross 308 broiler
chickens aged 22 to 42 days. Broiler chickens on diets containing 75 or 100% yellow
mealworm meal had higher (p < 0.05) intakes than those on diets containing no yellow
mealworm meal. Similarly, male broiler chickens on diets having 50% yellow
mealworm meal had higher (p < 0.05) live body weights than those on diets containing
no yellow mealworm. Quadratic equations indicated that feed intake and live body
weight of male Ross 308 broiler chickens were optimized at yellow mealworm meal
replacement levels of 13 and 61%, respectively. The present study showed that
replacing soya bean meal with yellow mealworm meal in a diet did not affect (p > 0.05)
gut organ digesta pH values, gut organ weights, gut organ lengths, meat colour, meat
pH values, bone morphometric values, carcass part weights and meat sensory
attributes of male Ross 308 broiler chickens aged 42 days. However, meat from
chickens on diets containing yellow mealworm meal was softer (p < 0.05) than meat
from chickens on diets having 100% soya bean meal.
It is concluded that soya bean meal can be replaced with yellow mealworm larvae
meal in a diet at 25, 50, 75 and 100% levels without having adverse effects on
production and carcass characteristics of Ross 308 broiler chickens aged one to 42
days
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ul/oai:ulspace.ul.ac.za:10386/3675 |
| Date | January 2021 |
| Creators | Tema, Matsobane Eliya |
| Contributors | Ng'ambi, J. W., Brown, D. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 68 Leaves |
| Relation |
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