Muhammad Ridho, Kurniawan Sinaga

Potensi Tepung Maggot (Hermetia Illucens) sebagai Bahan Pakan Tambahan untuk Memacu Pertumbuhan pada Ayam Pejantan (Kalasan) di Fase Finisher

Introduction

Potensi tepung maggot (hermetia illucens) sebagai bahan pakan tambahan untuk memacu pertumbuhan pada ayam pejantan (kalasan) di fase finisher. Teliti potensi tepung maggot (Hermetia Illucens) untuk ayam pejantan Kalasan fase finisher. Tambahan 10% tepung maggot tingkatkan berat badan optimal dengan efisiensi pakan terbaik.

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the effect of adding maggot meal (Hermetia Illucens) as a supplementary feed ingredient on the growth performance of Kalasan male chickens during the finisher phase. A total of 100 chickens were used in this study with a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) consisting of 4 treatments and 5 replications, namely P0 (conventional feed without maggot meal), P1 (feed + 5% maggot meal), P2 (feed + 10% maggot meal), and P3 (feed + 15% maggot meal). The observed parameters included feed consumption, body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio (FCR). The results showed that feed consumption increased with the rising proportion of maggot meal, with the highest value recorded in P3 (1081.08 g/bird) and the lowest in P0 (894.04 g/bird). The highest body weight gain was also achieved in P3 (487.96 g/bird), while P0 had the lowest weight gain (410.02 g/bird). However, the best FCR values were obtained in P1 (2.09) and P2 (2.10), indicating more optimal feed efficiency at moderate maggot meal supplementation levels. Therefore, adding maggot meal at a 10% level (P2) is recommended as the most effective option, as it can increase body weight while maintaining balanced feed efficiency.

Review

This study addresses a highly pertinent topic in animal nutrition: the utilization of alternative and sustainable protein sources, specifically *Hermetia illucens* (black soldier fly larvae) meal, in poultry diets. The authors set out to evaluate the potential of maggot meal as a supplementary feed ingredient to enhance the growth performance of Kalasan male chickens during their crucial finisher phase. Employing a well-structured Completely Randomized Design with 100 birds divided into four treatment groups, the research systematically investigated the impact of varying inclusion levels (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%) of maggot meal on key production parameters: feed consumption, body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio (FCR). The findings present a compelling case for the inclusion of maggot meal, albeit with nuanced effects across parameters. A clear dose-dependent increase was observed for both feed consumption and body weight gain, with the highest values consistently recorded at the 15% maggot meal inclusion level (P3). Specifically, P3 resulted in the highest feed intake (1081.08 g/bird) and the most significant body weight gain (487.96 g/bird) compared to the control (P0). However, the study's most critical insight lies in the feed conversion ratio. While higher inclusion rates boosted consumption and weight gain, the optimal feed efficiency, indicated by the lowest FCR values, was achieved at moderate levels: P1 (2.09) and P2 (2.10). This suggests that while more maggot meal leads to more growth, there's a point where the efficiency of nutrient conversion begins to plateau or even decline relative to feed intake. Based on these comprehensive results, the authors logically conclude and recommend that incorporating maggot meal at a 10% level (P2) represents the most effective strategy. This recommendation adeptly balances the desire for increased body weight with the economic necessity of maintaining optimal feed efficiency, thus offering a practical and sustainable solution for poultry producers. The study provides valuable data supporting *Hermetia illucens* meal as a viable feed supplement for Kalasan male chickens. For future research, it would be beneficial to explore the underlying reasons for increased feed consumption at higher inclusion rates (e.g., palatability studies), conduct an economic analysis comparing different inclusion levels, and investigate the impact on carcass characteristics to fully understand the commercial implications of this promising feed ingredient.

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