Silkworm (Bombyx mori) meal as alternate protein ingredient in broiler finisher ration

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of replacing soybean meal with silkworm meal on production performance,hematology and carcass traits in broilers at finisher phase. five isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets were uttered with the step-wise i.e. 0% (d1),25% (d2),50% (d3),75% (d4) and 100% (d5) replacement of soybean meal with silkworm meal in commercial broiler rations. a total of 150 day-old broiler chicks (ross 308) were randomly distributed into fifteen replicate groups (n=10),and consequently reared on five experimental diets according to a completely randomized design. feed intake was higher in d4 group in comparison with other groups (p < 0.05). live body weight was higher in d4 group than d2,d3 and d5 groups (p < 0.05). fcr and dressing percentage were similar among the all groups (p > 0.05). albumin was higher in d1 group in comparison with other groups (p < 0.05),however,other blood parameters and carcass characteristics indicated no significant differences (p > 0.05). cost per kg of feed gradually decline with increasing dietary level of scm inclusion levels (p < 0.05),indicating higher economic benefit. however,the gross return per bird and profit per kg meat were higher for diet d4 (p < 0.05). it was revealed that replacement of soyabean meal with silkworm meal did not affect broiler performance and carcass quality; therefore silkworm meal may effectively be used as a low-cost protein constituent in the broiler finisher ration. copyright 2017 zoological society of pakistan.