The Potential of Dehydrated and live black Soldier Fly Larvae as a Sustainable Feed 

As consumer demand for sustainable and ethical farming grows, the need to reduce soy dependence on animal feed becomes always more urgent.  

For this reason, Researchers at the University of Turin studied the impact of introducing dehydrated and live black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) into the diet of Bianca di Saluzzo chickens, an indigenous slow-growing breed. 

The findings are promising: BSFL supplementation had no negative impact on the overall well-being of the animals. The birds of this trial showed incredible adaptability to the supplementation of black soldier fly larvae, even developing specific enzymes to better digest the larvae. Dehydrated larvae, in particular, offer a practical and biosecure alternative to soy-based feed, combining storage convenience with sustainability. 

With the EU Regulation No. 2021/1372 allowing insect proteins in poultry feed, this study contributes to a growing body of evidence in favour of the integration of insects into poultry feed. 

As the sector evolves, integrating insects into feed could encourage sustainable practices and reduce the environmental impact of livestock farming.