Use of Hermetia Illucens Larvae Fat in Feeding of Calves

Insects are good sources of lipids and fatty acids that can be utilized in animal feed. In an experiment on calves of the dairy period of rearing, the efficiency of fat utilization obtained from Hermetia illucens larvae (F-Hil) was studied. Animals of the control group were fed a balanced ration accepted in the farm in terms of energy and nutrients, while the experimental group was fed 10 g of F-Hil in addition to the basic ration daily individually in the morning feeding with milk. Feeding fat already in the first month of the trials resulted in an increase in ADG by 24.4% (p < 0.001), and in the second month—by 20.3% (p < 0.003), respectively, compared to the control. The average increase in ADG over the 2-month experiment period was 22.0% (p < 0.001) in the experimental group. Analysis of clinical and biochemical blood parameters of experimental calves at the end of the experiment did not reveal significant differences in the values of indicators between the groups. Calculation of economic efficiency showed that feeding F-Hil to heifers during the dairy period of rearing is justified and provides a profit.