The Black Soldier Fly: everything you need to know

Wondering why black fly larvae are becoming increasingly popular as chicken feed? In this blog, we will help you understand black fly larvae and why you should feed them to your chickens.  

If you are a poulterer or a chicken farmer, you probably know how chickens love eating insects. They are a vital part of their diet, essential for keeping your chickens healthy. Insects have a higher amino acid content and the chitin in their exoskeletons that may benefit your chicken's immune system. Some of the popular insect feeds are Earthworms, Mealworms, and Maggots.

One such insect feed rapidly gaining popularity is the black fly larvae or dried black soldier fly larvae. Their protein and calcium content makes black fly larvae the best insect feed. As a result, it has taken over mealworms to become the favorite choice of chicken parents and the best insect feed for chickens. But what makes the best insects for chickens? Let's find out.

What is Black Soldier Fly Larvae?

Black soldier fly larvae, technically known as Hermetia illucens, are a non-invasive fly species that originated in Western Hemisphere and Australia. These insects are harmless because they do not bite or sting. Furthermore, they are not considered garden or crop pests. 

Black fly larvae have the potential to provide promising solutions to two of the modern agricultural problems - the rising cost of animal feed and the disposal of large amounts of animal waste. They contain antimicrobial properties that break down bacteria in the food they consume. Lastly, they do not transmit any diseases like mosquitoes or common houseflies.

Here is the Wiki table for Black Soldier Fly Larvae:

Wiki Table type for Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL)

Attribute	Description
Scientific Name	Hermetia illucens
Common Name	Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL)
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Arthropoda
Class	Insecta
Order	Diptera
Family	Stratiomyidae
Genus	Hermetia
Species	H. illucens
Lifespan	45-60 days (egg to adult)
Life Cycle	Egg → Larva → Pupa → Adult
Optimal Breeding Conditions	Warm temperatures (25-30°C) and high humidity (60-70%)
Habitat	Found near decaying organic matter, compost, manure
Animals That Can Eat BSFL	Chickens, ducks, fish, reptiles, pigs, pet birds, amphibians
Nutritional Benefits	High in protein (up to 42%), fat (up to 35%), calcium, and essential amino acids
Feeding Method	Can be fed live, dried, or processed into meal
Potential Harms and Risks	Generally safe; ensure they are sourced from uncontaminated environments to avoid disease or chemical contamination
Environmental Benefits	Sustainable feed option; can be produced using organic waste, reducing waste and carbon footprint
Other Uses	Composting organic waste, producing biofertilizer, potential for biodiesel production from larvae fat
Origin and Distribution	Native to the Americas, now widespread globally
Economic Importance	Used in waste management, animal feed production, and potential in biofuel industry
Digestive Enzymes	Produces enzymes that help in breaking down organic matter
Reproductive Behavior	Females lay eggs in clusters near decaying material
Growth Rate	Rapid growth; larvae can double in size within a few days
Conversion Efficiency	High efficiency in converting organic waste into biomass
Commercial Production	Cultivated on a large scale for animal feed and waste management
Life Cycle Stages	Egg: Females lay clusters of 500-900 eggs near decaying organic matter. Larva: Lasts about 14-20 days, consuming large amounts of organic material. Pupa: Pupation takes about 7-10 days. Adult: Lives for about 5-8 days, primarily for reproduction.
Nutritional Composition	Protein: Up to 42% Fat: Up to 35% Calcium: High levels, beneficial for egg-laying birds Amino Acids: Rich in essential amino acids
Safety Considerations	Ensure BSFL are free from pesticides and contaminants. Monitor for any allergic reactions in pets or livestock when introducing BSFL into their diet.

How Long Do Black Soldier Fly Larvae Take Grow?

Like most insects, the black fly larvae undergo a complete metamorphosis, including the egg, larvae, pupa, and adult phases. 

The lifecycle starts with female flies depositing around 200 to 600 eggs. These eggs hatch within 5 to six days. The larvae are usually about 1 mm in length in the beginning; however, their voracious appetite can make them reach the size of up to 25mm. 

Then they enter the inactive stage and turn into pupae. You can immediately feed pupae to your flock as they are a rich source of protein. They can also be dried and processed into feed for later use. The life cycle starts again once they hatch out of the pupae as fully grown flies.

Their life cycle lasts about 45 days, but if grown for commercial purposes, the hatch-to-harvest period can be as short as ten up to 28 days, depending on their feed. Their short harvest period makes dried black soldier fly larvae an economical insect feed to raise. 

What do Black Soldier Fly Larvae Eat?

If you ask someone who grows black soldiers fly for sale, they will tell you that the insects will eat just about anything. Including decaying organic matter, food waste, and even manure. 

Black fly larvae are said to be the tiniest powerhouse recyclers. A combination diet of kitchen scraps and coffee grounds may help to boost their metabolism. Still, they have a limited ability to process any animal products such as meat and fat. 

The food they eat varies depending on their farming place and surrounding conditions. The adult flies do not have digestive organs, so they rely on the body fat stored during the larva stage. 

How is Black Soldier Fly Larvae Beneficial for Chicken?

Black fly larvae roughly contain 40% protein, 28% fat, 10% fiber, and 3% calcium. Their nutritional profile can vary depending on what food they consume. 

The protein content in dried black soldier fly larvae can help your flock during the molt when they lose all their feathers and regrow new and healthy feathers. During the molting phase, the protein needs of chickens increase as their feathers are about 90% protein. Your flock also needs protein to maintain various body systems and stay healthy. 

Black fly larvae can be a helpful supplement during weather changes and in times of stress. The fat content present in the larvae provides essential energy to your chickens. It helps boost the amount of nutrition absorbed from supplementary feed ingredients present at the same time of digestion. The fiber content comes from their shell, made of chitin (a great source of fiber), which helps maintain a healthy digestive system and boosts gut health.

The benefits of black fly larvae do not end here. The black soldier fly larvae meals are scientifically proven to be beneficial in the weight gain of broilers and boost the production of their immune system elements. They are also helpful in improving survival against Salmonella Gallinarum, an experimental infection. The infection can result in issues like fowl typhoid, anemia, and intestinal tract hemorrhage.

Want to Buy Black Soldier Fly for Your Chicken?

Now that you know all about the black fly larvae, you can feed them to your flock without any second thoughts. In addition, you can order or purchase black soldier fly larvae of high quality from Fly Grubs. 

Fly Grubs offers premium quality, all-natural and USA FDA-approved dried black soldier fly larvae. Our high-protein hen treat is 85x richer in calcium than mealworms. In addition, it is a sustainable, organic, grain-free feed that naturally supports your chickens' immune system. 

They are more nutrient-dense than other insect feeds available on the market. Furthermore, fly grubs grow on traceable pre-consumer food waste, such as vegetables, fruits, and grains that would otherwise go to a landfill. They come in a resealable bag made from recycled plastic, carefully packed into a box to ensure you do not receive broken pieces. This makes it one of the most affordable black fly larvae for sale. 

Wait no more! Order your pack of Fly Grubs all-natural BSFL at affordable prices from our website and reach out to us for any queries at emily@flygrubs.com or our contact page.