Abstract
Frass is the main component of worm by-product which exhibit anti-microbial and anti-pathogenic properties. In the present study, we assessed the possibility of mealworm frass in sheep feeding regime and evaluated its effect on health and growth performance of sheep. A total of 09 experimental sheep (18–24 months of age) were grouped into three categories (T1, T3, and T3); each group comprised 3 animals including 2 males and 1 female. Group T1 was considered control, group T2 contains 75% commercial feed and 25 mealworm frass, and T3 was 50:50 of commercial feed and mealworm frass. The sheep in group T2 showed average weight gain of 2.9 kg; however, when the dietary inclusion increased up to 50% of mealworm frass or decreased up to 50% of concentrate feed, the average weight gain decreased up to 2.01 kg (group T3). Moreover, the sheep fed with 25% mealworm frass exhibited the lowest feed refusal percentage (6.33%) in total duration of the dietary period (6 weeks). The highest volume of RBC was found in blood collected from sheep fed within group T2 (10.22 1012/L ± 0.34), followed by sheep fed in group T3 (8.96 × 1012/L ± 0.99) (P < 0.05). Significantly (P < 0.05) highest MCV volume in fL (femtoliter) was found in group T2 (32.83 ± 0.44) followed by group T3 (31.23 ± 0.23). The animals in group T3 showed significantly (P < 0.05) highest MCHC volume (40.47 g/dL ± 0.62) followed by group T2 (38.77 ± 0.97). Similar trend was found in MPV (fL); significantly (P < 0.05) highest MPV volume was found in group T3 (12.63 ± 0.09) followed by group T2 (12.53 ± 0.33). Significantly (P < 0.05) high serum phosphorous (P) (6.00 ± 0.29), TG (60.03 ± 3.11), and TP (7.63 g/dL ± 0.23) levels were found in group T3, followed by animals in group T2. We can conclude that inclusion of mealworm frass to replace 25% commercial concentrate feed improved the growth rate and overall health status of the sheep. The present study laid a foundation for the utilization of the mealworm frass (waste product) in ruminant feeding.
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Acknowledgements
The authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Khaled University for supporting this work through small Groups Project under grant number (RGP.1/381/1443).
Funding
Expenditure for this study was met from PSF-funded project PSF /NLSP/KPK-AUP (709) titled optimization of environmental and nutritional standards for mass production of meal worms under tropical conditions of Pakistan.
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The data analysis, manuscript write-up, and experiments were conducted by M.A., R.W. K., A.A.A., and G.O. The supervision of the study and drafting of the article were done by R.K., S.M.S., and S.Z.K. The revision and editing were done by A.W.K., I.J., A.A.A., and G.O.
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Ayaz, M., Khan, R., Khan, S. et al. Effect of dietary inclusion of mealworm frass on growth, hematology, and serum biochemistry of sheep. Trop Anim Health Prod 55, 106 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-023-03518-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-023-03518-2