Supplementation of Red Worm (Perionyx excavatus) in the Diet of 4 - 10 Weeks Old Broilers

Abstract

The present study was aimed to assess the effect of different levels of red worm (Perionyx excavatus) supplemented to the diet on growth performance and meat quality of broilers. An experiment was conducted on broilers (Ho x Luong Phuong) of 4 - 10 weeks old according to a completely randomized design with one unsupplemented group (control) and three supplemented groups corresponding to 3 worm levels in the diet, viz. 1%, 1.5%, and 2% on a dry matter basis. Results showed that the 2% worm supplemented group had the highest growth rate, higher than the control group (1925.3 kg/head vs 1822.6 kg/head at the age of 10 weeks) with P <0.05. Chicken in the supplemented groups had lower FCR. The dressing percentage, and leg meat in the 2% worm supplemented group were higher than those of the control group. The different levels of red worm supplementation did not significantly affect meat quality (pH, color, the rate of dehydration after storage and processing)