Broilers show more natural foraging behavior when they can peck at fly larvae. They are also less anxious and stay healthier.

Insects have been seen as an interesting food source for chickens for a long time, because they are a good source of fats and proteins. Recently, a study showed that feeding fly larvae to the menu of broilers improves animal welfare. By administering fly larvae, chicks were found to move more and there were fewer problems with the legs, they were less often lame and they had less problems with skin inflammation on the heels. Because the chicks move more, they come into contact with contaminated litter less. In addition, the chicks toss the litter in their search for insects. This keeps the litter nice and loose.

An investigation was also carried out by offering the chicks larvae in a transparent tube. This resembles a natural situation where the chicks have to get insects out of a tree. The chicks showed even more natural foraging behavior and spent much of the day trying to get the larvae out of the tube, and they were less anxious. This indicates better animal welfare.

Adding larvae to chicks in commercial houses would improve welfare. The chicks often have nothing to do during the first weeks, this changes when you add larvae to their menu. At the moment it is not allowed in the EU to add animal products to poultry feed, due to the risk of diseases. Live larvae may be fed, however, because this option is not taken into account in the law.

Wadudu also supplies various poultry farms with live larvae. In addition to better animal welfare, breeding protein-rich larvae on excess manure ensures sustainable feed.

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