Vol. 10, Issue 8, Part D (2025)

The current research titled "Effect of Dietary Addition of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens) on Growth Performance of Male Goat Kids" was carried out at Goat Farm, Division of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science, Dr. Sharadchandra Pawar College of Agriculture, Baramati during the years 2024-2025. This research aimed to assess how the dietary addition of black soldier fly larvae influences the growth performance of male goat kids. A total of twenty male goat kids, each around three months old, were chosen and randomly divided into four groups, with five kids in each: T? (Control group with a basal diet), T? (Basal diet supplemented with 10 g of dried black soldier fly larvae per 200 g of concentrate), T? (Basal diet supplemented with 20 g of dried black soldier fly larvae per 200 g of concentrate), and T? (Basal diet supplemented with 30 g of dried black soldier fly larvae per 200 g of concentrate). The feeding trial lasted for 90 days. The results revealed significant (p<0.05) improvement in body weight gain with increasing levels of BSF supplementation. The final body weights were 10.30 kg (T?), 11.02 kg (T?), 12.98 kg (T?), and 14.88 kg (T?).
In conclusion, the inclusion of black soldier fly larvae at 15% of concentrate (T?) resulted in optimal growth performance, enhanced nutrient utilization, and improved weight gain status in male goat kids. The study supports the recommendation of black soldier fly larvae as an effective and natural feed supplement in small ruminant nutrition.