The effects of the dietary replacement of soybean meal with yellow mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor) on the growth, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen output of fattening rabbits

The present study aimed to obtain novel information concerning the effects of total dietary replacement soybean meal (SBM) with yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor; TM) on coefficients tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) in diet and nitrogen output fattening rabbits. Two diets were formulated that included 60 g/kg SBM (SBM diet) or 30 TM (TM as main crude protein (CP) source. had slightly lower CP content than (141 vs. 150 g/kg). A rabbits (Hyplus PS 19 x Hyplus 40; males) weaned at age 32 day randomly allocated into 2 groups (15 per group), individually housed, fed one two ad libitum for 47 days. Feed intake was measured daily during entire period (between 79 age). faecal urine between 57 61 age. weight gain (ADWG) 53 (by 6.9 g/day, 12 %; P = 0.034), resulting live (LW) day, a feed (ADFI) 13 7 0.047) recorded compared diet. ADWG conversion ratio period, final LW rabbits, CTTAD not affected by treatments. Whatever diet, average, losses faeces represented 26 % intake. Lower 0.35 0.007) excretion 0.53 23 0.003), well higher retention coefficient 0.06, 11 0.026) detected It can be concluded effectively utilized containing without detrimental their output.