Evaluation of Maggot Meal as a Protein Source for Weaner Rabbits in Nasarawa State

This study evaluates black soldier fly larval meal (maggot meal) as a partial protein replacement for soybean meal in the diet of weaner rabbits in Nasarawa State, North Central Nigeria. The high cost of conventional protein feeds is a major challenge for rabbit producers in Nigeria, and insect-derived protein from black soldier fly larvae offers a sustainable, locally producible alternative with high protein quality. This study produces maggot meal from black soldier fly larvae reared on organic kitchen waste at Nasarawa State University Keffi and incorporates it at 0, 25, 50, and 75 percent replacement of soybean protein in weaner rabbit diets. Sixty weaner rabbits of New Zealand White breed averaging 400 grams initial weight are allocated in groups of 15 per treatment. Body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, carcass yield, and cost of feed per kilogram weight gain are measured over 56 days. Findings reveal that 25 and 50 percent maggot meal replacement maintain growth performance equivalent to the soybean control diet, with comparable feed conversion ratios. Seventy-five percent replacement significantly reduces growth rate by 21 percent, attributed to amino acid profile differences at high inclusion levels. Feed cost per kilogram weight gain is reduced by 24 percent at 50 percent replacement. Carcass dressing percentage is unaffected across all treatments. The study concludes that black soldier fly larval meal at 50 percent replacement of soybean protein is a viable cost-effective strategy for weaner rabbit production in Nasarawa State. It recommends scaling insect protein production using farm organic waste.

Keywords: maggot meal, black soldier fly, weaner rabbits, protein replacement, Nasarawa State.