Browsing by Author "Tanga, C.M."
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
- Results Per Page
- Sort Options
Item Evaluating the Growth and Cost–Benefit Analysis of Feeding Improved Indigenous Chicken with Diets Containing Black Soldier Fly Larva Meal(Frontiers, 2024-09-05) Waithaka, M.K.; Osuga, I.M.; Kabuage, L.W.; Subramanian, S.; Muriithi, B.; Wachira, A.M.; Tanga, C.M.; International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) ; Kenyatta University ; Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology ; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)The high cost of feed has been the major hindrance to a hindrance to the growth, sustainability, profitability, and expansion of poultry production. Black soldier fly larva (BSFL) meal is one of the most promising alternative protein sources widely accepted globally. This study evaluated the growth performance of improved indigenous chicken (IIC)-fed diets containing different inclusion levels of BSFL meals. The BSFL meal inclusion rates included 0% (Diet0), 5% (Diet1), 10% (Diet2), 15% (Diet3), and 20% (Diet4) as replacement to the expensive fish meal in chick and grower diets. Our results showed that diet significantly affected the average daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and average daily weight gain of the chicks. The average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio, except average daily feed intake of the growers, was not significantly affected by diets. The gross profit margin, cost–benefit ratio, and return on investment of feeding birds with BSFL meal varied significantly. The highest cost–benefit ratio of 2.12 was recorded for birds fed on Diet4. Our findings demonstrate that insect-based feeds can successfully and cost-effectively replace fish meal up to 20% without compromising the growth performance of the birds. Therefore, BSFL meal could be incorporated as an essential part of poultry feed production for IIC, potentially reducing the total feed cost while maintaining optimal production and reducing the cost of meat and egg products.Item Trapping, Identification, and Rearing of Edible Palm Weevils in Kenya and Uganda(Wageningen Academic Publishers, 2021-06-15) Egonyu, J.P.; Gitonga , J.K.; Khamis, F.M.; Copeland, R.S.; Finyange, P.; Odhiambo, R.; Ddamulira , G.; Tanga, C.M.; Subramanian, S.; International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology ; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization,, Matuga, Kwale ; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Alupe, Busia ; National Crops Resources Research InstitutePalm weevils, Rhynchophorus spp. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) double as devastating invasive pests of palms, and delicacies in many communities. This study evaluated ethyl acetate and 3-methyl-octan-4-ol for trapping palm weevils from coconut, oil and raffia palms in Kenya and Uganda; taking into account the distance of traps on oil palm from a forest or raffia palm. Eggs from the weevils from different locations were incubated and their larvae reared on sugarcane under laboratory conditions. All the 285 weevils collected were identified by morphological and molecular techniques as Rhynchophorus phoenicis, and the catch was female-biased. 3-methyl-octan-4-ol attracted more weevils than ethyl acetate. More weevils were caught at ~100 m away from the forest than within 15 m outside the forest; and on raffia palm than oil palm irrespective of distance apart. Eggs took ~4 d to develop and 95-100% of pupae developed into adults, irrespective of the collection site. Larval and pupal developmental periods for weevils from Uganda were longer than those of Kenya, resulting in egg-adult development of ~6 months and ~4 months, respectively. The sex ratio of laboratory produced males and females was similar. These results can guide in designing an integrated R. phoenicis management system with a dual benefit of protecting palms from weevil attack and utilising the weevils to improve human nutrition.
