Fly Pupae as a Dietary Ingredient for Starting Chicks

Two feeding trials were conducted to evaluate fly pupae and catabolized manure residue as protein sources for broiler chicks. In the first trial, White Plymouth Rock chicks were fed a diet containing dried ground pupae as the only protein supplement from one day to seven weeks of age. No trace minerals or B vitamins were added to their ration. In comparison to control chicks receiving a fully balanced ration, no significant (P < 0.05) differences in body weight or feed conversion were found. In the second trial, fish meal and meat and bone meal were replaced with fly pupae in a broiler ration. Catabolized manure was used from five to ten percent to replace milo in the ration. New Hampshire and Indian River broiler chicks were fed these rations from one day through four weeks of age. No significant differences (P < 0.05) in body weight or feed conversion were found among the different treatments.