Different uses of Hermetia illucens in the post-weaning piglets

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL, Hermetia illucens) are an excellent candidate as a source of protein and lipids and could be an interesting element of environmental enrichment aimed at reducing re-directed exploratory behaviours (e.g. aggression, tail biting) in weaned piglets. The aim of this study was to evaluate growth parameters and behaviour of piglets receiving larval meal (LM) and/or live larvae (LL) in addition to environmental enrichment. A total of 96 piglets, 28 days old, were individually weighed and allocated to different treatments. The trial lasted 39 days and there were 4 experimental groups, each consisting of 4 replicates of 6 piglets each: a control group (C), a control group with live larvae (CLL), a group receiving larvae meal (LM), and a last group receiving both live larvae and larvae meal (LMLL). BSF larvae meal was included at 6%, replacing an equivalent amount of soybean meal; all 4 groups had standard environmental enrichment (iron chain and softwood); the two LL groups received live larvae from a special dispenser at increasing levels during the trial, up to a maximum of 600 gr/pen (100 gr/piglet)/day. At the end of the trial, piglets were individually weighed, average daily gain (ADG) was calculated and feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated from feed intake. Video recordings were made to obtain behavioural data. Evaluation of the number and duration of events is still ongoing. The administration of larval meal and live larvae to piglets in the post-weaning period has no significant effect (P>0.05) on growth performance (live weight, average daily gain, feed conversion ratio). Preliminary behavioural results show that animals receiving live larvae spent approximately 15% of their time interacting with the larvae. As a result, interactions between piglets and with traditional environmental enrichment (wood and chain) were significantly reduced. These differences occurred regardless of whether BSF meal was present or not and indicate a promising effect of LL on piglet behavior.