Black Soldier Fly (BSFL) Overview

Black Soldier Fly (BSFL) Overview

The Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL), scientifically known as Hermetia illucens, have emerged as a remarkable solution for addressing both food security and organic waste management. Let’s explore their role in sustainable protein production and waste reduction:

Cultivating Black Soldier Fly Larvae: A Practical Approach and Step by Step Guide

Habitat Setup:
Step 1.
Choose a container or bin with proper ventilation. It can be a plastic tub, wooden box, or any suitable enclosure.
Step 2. Create a substrate layer using organic waste (e.g., kitchen scraps, vegetable peels, manure). BSFL lay their eggs on this substrate.

Egg Laying and Hatching:

Step 3.  Allow adult BSFL to lay eggs on the substrate.

Step 4. Eggs hatch into tiny larvae within a few days. Maintain optimal temperature (around 77°F or 25°C) and humidity (around 70%).

Feeding and Growth:
Step 5.
Provide organic waste regularly. BSFL consume it voraciously.
Step 6. BSFL go through multiple molts (instars) as they grow. Ensure a continuous supply of food

Harvesting:

Step 7. When the larvae are mature (usually after 14-20 days), they crawl out of the substrate.

Step 8. Collect the larvae for chicken feed or other purposes.

Processing for Chicken Feed:

Step 9,

  • Drying: Sun-dry the harvested larvae to reduce moisture content.
  • Grinding: Grind the dried larvae into a fine powder. This can be mixed with other feed ingredients.
  • Storage: Store the BSFL meal in a cool, dark place to maintain nutritional quality.

Feeding Chickens:

Lastly,

  • Gradual Introduction: Start by mixing small amounts of BSFL meal with their regular feed.
  • Monitor: Observe chicken consumption and health. Gradually increase BSFL quantities up to 20% of their feed.
  • Adjust: Adjust the ratio based on flock preferences and performance.

Here’s an wonderful video on how BSFL cultivation is changing a community…