Insects as a natural component of pheasant diets: effects of full-fat Hermetia illucens meal on egg production and quality, hatchability, and selected physicochemical egg indices

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementing Hermetia illucens larval meal in pheasant diets on selected hatchability parameters and physicochemical properties of eggs. A total of 72 pheasants (63 females and 9 males) were randomly allocated to three groups: BSFL0, a basal diet without H. illucens, and BSFL10 and BSFL20 diets, with 100 and 200 g/kg H. illucens larval meal, respectively. The evaluation of selected egg production indices was based on 1200 properly developed eggs. The BSFL20 group exhibited the highest number of eggs and a reduced percentage of culled eggs compared to the control treatment. The lowest albumen height was determined in BSFL0, and the highest in BSFL20. In addition, the highest Haugh index values were also recorded for the BSFL20 group. Tendencies towards improved survival of chicks were observed up to day 7 and day 14 after hatching, connecting with the incrementing BSFL dose. Egg yolk dry matter and crude protein levels were increased in the BSFL20 group, accompanied by tendencies towards elevated crude ash and reduced cholesterol levels. A significant increase in C12:0 and C14:0 fatty acids in both experimental groups, and a decrease in C18:0 fatty acid levels in the BSFL20 group were observed. A reduction in C16:1 and monounsaturated fatty acid levels was noted in the experimental groups. The atherogenicity index was higher in the BSFL20 group, while the n-6/n-3 ratio was lower compared to the control. In conclusion, H. illucens can be implemented in pheasant diets with beneficial effects on the number of eggs and positive trends for selected survival indices. Furthermore, H. illucens full-fat meal positively modified the chemical composition of the eggs.