Sample of Larvae from BSF ,which chicken feeds on._Photo:Alujo
The Black Soldier Fly (BSF) is an insect that is reared for the purpose of getting eggs. Once the eggs hatch into larvae, the larvae feed on organic waste .Its larvae turns organic waste into protein and crude fat. These two products are feed to livestock and its frass is used as organic manure in the farm . Black soldier fly is now being used for sustainable agriculture, waste management and high protein production for animals . After laying eggs its larvae feeds on kitchen refuse ,but the refuse should be monitored to ensure that it has all the required nutrients that is carbohydrate, proteins and vitamins. This makes them healthier and it will boost your harvesting. The Black soldier Fly has a 45day life cycle from eggs- Larvae- Pupa to adults . It is used as food component for chicken, pigs, fish and cows because they are rich in proteins making your animals healthier.
Chicken feeding on larvae from BSF._ Photo:Alujo
Oscar Ominde an Interprenuer from Bukhaywa village, Shinyalu Subcounty Kakamega County has been practicing black soldier flies farming for years, producing seedpacks from black soldier flies, extracting oil from the black soldier flies, obtaining frass(waste from the insect) as organic fertilizer and sensitizing communities on affordable animal feeds through trainings . He has been able to operate in 18 counties transforming agriculture from the village to National markets .
In picture,Oscar Ominde (Right) and Kennedy Babangida(Left) ._ Photo:Alujo.
According to Oscar Ominde rearing black soldier flies is easy . The flies stay in a net that is well lit by Sunshine. Also you need to protect your flies from predator insects and animals such as rats and chicken. Make sure light penetrates the area because it will help them to fly and mate .Inside it put structures that is egg lays where the black soldier flies will lay eggs and it helps you to collect the eggs .Black Soldier Flies only take water or nector. No food substances to be used to feed them at this point. They will lay eggs on the egg lays and harvesting is done after 3days. After every 2weeks you will be required to restock them as after laying eggs they normally die. Restocking them makes sure that you have enough eggs. Oscar says 1 black soldier fly can lay 300 eggs upto 1000.
Black Soldier Flies on Egg lays where they lay eggs._Photo :Alujo
Eggs collected can be used to produce seedpacks . A seed pack is hatched larvae fed on a special diet. Eggs hatch after 5days. The 5 day old larvae is fed on organic waste such as kitched waste, poultry waste, fruits, slaughter house waste. They grow into juicy beige larvae in 12Days. The beige larvae is harvested and either fed directly to livestock or dried for value addition. The seedpack is raise on a Shamba10™, a portable bin that can raise upto 30Kg of larvae in a very small space of 1m length by 0.75m width.
Oscar Ominde says after 12days they will turn colour to beige. You can harvest them and feed your chicken because at this stage they are rich in 35% Crude Proteins. 30% Crude Far and 7%calcium. They contain lauric acid a natural antibacterial which protects your chicken from diseases. It is recommended to feed your chicken while at colour beige so that your chicken gets all the nutrients from them. Remember that feeding your chicken with BSF larvae makes your chicken grow faster, layer larger yellow yolked eggs consistently.
Zero pressure in the farm because of animals feeds! You now have the solution!