Effects of Diets and Rearing Periods on the Yield and Nutritional Quality of Cockroach Meal as Source of Protein to Broiler Chicken

Elisha Christian Lyawatwa; Martin John Martin; Germana Henry Laswai

doi:doi:10.11648/j.aje.20250904.11

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Effects of Diets and Rearing Periods on the Yield and Nutritional Quality of Cockroach Meal as Source of Protein to Broiler Chicken

Elisha Christian Lyawatwa^*

, Martin John Martin

, Germana Henry Laswai

Published in American Journal of Entomology (Volume 9, Issue 4)

Received: 14 July 2025 Accepted: 28 July 2025 Published: 10 October 2025

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Abstract

A 3 x 4 factorial experiment was conducted to assess the effects of three diets (D1, D2 and D3) and four rearing periods (T30 (30 days), T60 (60 days), T90 (90 days) and T120 (120 days) on the performance and economics of mass production of American cockroaches as source of animal protein in the diets of broiler chickens. A total of 1380 cockroach nymphs (10^th-14^th instars) were allotted randomly to the diets and rearing periods and replicated five (5) times in buckets. Data on feed intake, growth performance, survival rates, number of ootheca and cost components were recorded and analysed. Samples of the feed ingredients, diets and cockroach meal were collected and analysed for nutritional values using standard methods. Diet D1 was a well-balanced commercial broiler starter, whereas diets D2 was made from three organic wastes and D3 being made from various organic wastes with fortification of minerals and vitamins. The cumulative feed intake by the cockroaches on diet D2 (45.26 g) was higher (p<0.05) than that of diets D1 (26.8 g) and D3 (37.74 g). Cockroaches fed on diet D2 had higher weight gain (7.4 g) than diets D1 (5.9 g) and D2 (4.1 g). Similarly, cockroaches reared for 90 days had higher weight gain (7.6 g) than those reared for 30 (2.5 g), 60 (5.7 g) and 120 (7.3 g) days. The number of ootheca produced were higher (P<0.05) on diet D2 (35) than on diet D1 (13) and D3 (12). The higher (P<0.05) mean survival rate was observed in cockroaches reared for 30 days (91.3%) and 90 days (81.4%) than those reared for 60 days (67.8%) and 120 days (54.9%) periods. The average crude protein content of the cockroach meal was higher at 90 days (720.4 g/kg) and 60 days (716.8 g/kg) than other periods. In conclusion, rearing cockroach nymphs on diet D2 for 90 days was found to be the most effective way of producing cockroaches with relatively low production costs. Further study is recommended on evaluation of the produced cockroach meal as source of animal protein in the diets of broiler chicken.

Published in	American Journal of Entomology (Volume 9, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.aje.20250904.11
Page(s)	111-123
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Cockroaches, Feeding, Growth, Oviposition, Nutritional Quality, Cost Analysis

References

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Lyawatwa, E. C., Martin, M. J., Laswai, G. H. (2025). Effects of Diets and Rearing Periods on the Yield and Nutritional Quality of Cockroach Meal as Source of Protein to Broiler Chicken. American Journal of Entomology, 9(4), 111-123. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aje.20250904.11

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ACS Style

Lyawatwa, E. C.; Martin, M. J.; Laswai, G. H. Effects of Diets and Rearing Periods on the Yield and Nutritional Quality of Cockroach Meal as Source of Protein to Broiler Chicken. Am. J. Entomol. 2025, 9(4), 111-123. doi: 10.11648/j.aje.20250904.11

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AMA Style

Lyawatwa EC, Martin MJ, Laswai GH. Effects of Diets and Rearing Periods on the Yield and Nutritional Quality of Cockroach Meal as Source of Protein to Broiler Chicken. Am J Entomol. 2025;9(4):111-123. doi: 10.11648/j.aje.20250904.11

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@article{10.11648/j.aje.20250904.11,
  author = {Elisha Christian Lyawatwa and Martin John Martin and Germana Henry Laswai},
  title = {Effects of Diets and Rearing Periods on the Yield and Nutritional Quality of Cockroach Meal as Source of Protein to Broiler Chicken
},
  journal = {American Journal of Entomology},
  volume = {9},
  number = {4},
  pages = {111-123},
  doi = {10.11648/j.aje.20250904.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aje.20250904.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.aje.20250904.11},
  abstract = {A 3 x 4 factorial experiment was conducted to assess the effects of three diets (D1, D2 and D3) and four rearing periods (T30 (30 days), T60 (60 days), T90 (90 days) and T120 (120 days) on the performance and economics of mass production of American cockroaches as source of animal protein in the diets of broiler chickens. A total of 1380 cockroach nymphs (10th-14th instars) were allotted randomly to the diets and rearing periods and replicated five (5) times in buckets. Data on feed intake, growth performance, survival rates, number of ootheca and cost components were recorded and analysed. Samples of the feed ingredients, diets and cockroach meal were collected and analysed for nutritional values using standard methods. Diet D1 was a well-balanced commercial broiler starter, whereas diets D2 was made from three organic wastes and D3 being made from various organic wastes with fortification of minerals and vitamins. The cumulative feed intake by the cockroaches on diet D2 (45.26 g) was higher (p<0.05) than that of diets D1 (26.8 g) and D3 (37.74 g). Cockroaches fed on diet D2 had higher weight gain (7.4 g) than diets D1 (5.9 g) and D2 (4.1 g). Similarly, cockroaches reared for 90 days had higher weight gain (7.6 g) than those reared for 30 (2.5 g), 60 (5.7 g) and 120 (7.3 g) days. The number of ootheca produced were higher (P<0.05) on diet D2 (35) than on diet D1 (13) and D3 (12). The higher (P<0.05) mean survival rate was observed in cockroaches reared for 30 days (91.3%) and 90 days (81.4%) than those reared for 60 days (67.8%) and 120 days (54.9%) periods. The average crude protein content of the cockroach meal was higher at 90 days (720.4 g/kg) and 60 days (716.8 g/kg) than other periods. In conclusion, rearing cockroach nymphs on diet D2 for 90 days was found to be the most effective way of producing cockroaches with relatively low production costs. Further study is recommended on evaluation of the produced cockroach meal as source of animal protein in the diets of broiler chicken.
},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Effects of Diets and Rearing Periods on the Yield and Nutritional Quality of Cockroach Meal as Source of Protein to Broiler Chicken

AU  - Elisha Christian Lyawatwa
AU  - Martin John Martin
AU  - Germana Henry Laswai
Y1  - 2025/10/10
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aje.20250904.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.aje.20250904.11
T2  - American Journal of Entomology
JF  - American Journal of Entomology
JO  - American Journal of Entomology
SP  - 111
EP  - 123
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-0537
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aje.20250904.11
AB  - A 3 x 4 factorial experiment was conducted to assess the effects of three diets (D1, D2 and D3) and four rearing periods (T30 (30 days), T60 (60 days), T90 (90 days) and T120 (120 days) on the performance and economics of mass production of American cockroaches as source of animal protein in the diets of broiler chickens. A total of 1380 cockroach nymphs (10th-14th instars) were allotted randomly to the diets and rearing periods and replicated five (5) times in buckets. Data on feed intake, growth performance, survival rates, number of ootheca and cost components were recorded and analysed. Samples of the feed ingredients, diets and cockroach meal were collected and analysed for nutritional values using standard methods. Diet D1 was a well-balanced commercial broiler starter, whereas diets D2 was made from three organic wastes and D3 being made from various organic wastes with fortification of minerals and vitamins. The cumulative feed intake by the cockroaches on diet D2 (45.26 g) was higher (p<0.05) than that of diets D1 (26.8 g) and D3 (37.74 g). Cockroaches fed on diet D2 had higher weight gain (7.4 g) than diets D1 (5.9 g) and D2 (4.1 g). Similarly, cockroaches reared for 90 days had higher weight gain (7.6 g) than those reared for 30 (2.5 g), 60 (5.7 g) and 120 (7.3 g) days. The number of ootheca produced were higher (P<0.05) on diet D2 (35) than on diet D1 (13) and D3 (12). The higher (P<0.05) mean survival rate was observed in cockroaches reared for 30 days (91.3%) and 90 days (81.4%) than those reared for 60 days (67.8%) and 120 days (54.9%) periods. The average crude protein content of the cockroach meal was higher at 90 days (720.4 g/kg) and 60 days (716.8 g/kg) than other periods. In conclusion, rearing cockroach nymphs on diet D2 for 90 days was found to be the most effective way of producing cockroaches with relatively low production costs. Further study is recommended on evaluation of the produced cockroach meal as source of animal protein in the diets of broiler chicken.

VL  - 9
IS  - 4
ER  -

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Elisha Christian Lyawatwa

Department of Animal, Aquaculture and Range Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0006-3364-7320
Martin John Martin

Institute of Pest Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9753-2553
Germana Henry Laswai

Department of Animal, Aquaculture and Range Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4782-7286

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Lyawatwa, E. C., Martin, M. J., Laswai, G. H. (2025). Effects of Diets and Rearing Periods on the Yield and Nutritional Quality of Cockroach Meal as Source of Protein to Broiler Chicken. American Journal of Entomology, 9(4), 111-123. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aje.20250904.11

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ACS Style

Lyawatwa, E. C.; Martin, M. J.; Laswai, G. H. Effects of Diets and Rearing Periods on the Yield and Nutritional Quality of Cockroach Meal as Source of Protein to Broiler Chicken. Am. J. Entomol. 2025, 9(4), 111-123. doi: 10.11648/j.aje.20250904.11

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AMA Style

Lyawatwa EC, Martin MJ, Laswai GH. Effects of Diets and Rearing Periods on the Yield and Nutritional Quality of Cockroach Meal as Source of Protein to Broiler Chicken. Am J Entomol. 2025;9(4):111-123. doi: 10.11648/j.aje.20250904.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.aje.20250904.11,
  author = {Elisha Christian Lyawatwa and Martin John Martin and Germana Henry Laswai},
  title = {Effects of Diets and Rearing Periods on the Yield and Nutritional Quality of Cockroach Meal as Source of Protein to Broiler Chicken
},
  journal = {American Journal of Entomology},
  volume = {9},
  number = {4},
  pages = {111-123},
  doi = {10.11648/j.aje.20250904.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aje.20250904.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.aje.20250904.11},
  abstract = {A 3 x 4 factorial experiment was conducted to assess the effects of three diets (D1, D2 and D3) and four rearing periods (T30 (30 days), T60 (60 days), T90 (90 days) and T120 (120 days) on the performance and economics of mass production of American cockroaches as source of animal protein in the diets of broiler chickens. A total of 1380 cockroach nymphs (10th-14th instars) were allotted randomly to the diets and rearing periods and replicated five (5) times in buckets. Data on feed intake, growth performance, survival rates, number of ootheca and cost components were recorded and analysed. Samples of the feed ingredients, diets and cockroach meal were collected and analysed for nutritional values using standard methods. Diet D1 was a well-balanced commercial broiler starter, whereas diets D2 was made from three organic wastes and D3 being made from various organic wastes with fortification of minerals and vitamins. The cumulative feed intake by the cockroaches on diet D2 (45.26 g) was higher (p<0.05) than that of diets D1 (26.8 g) and D3 (37.74 g). Cockroaches fed on diet D2 had higher weight gain (7.4 g) than diets D1 (5.9 g) and D2 (4.1 g). Similarly, cockroaches reared for 90 days had higher weight gain (7.6 g) than those reared for 30 (2.5 g), 60 (5.7 g) and 120 (7.3 g) days. The number of ootheca produced were higher (P<0.05) on diet D2 (35) than on diet D1 (13) and D3 (12). The higher (P<0.05) mean survival rate was observed in cockroaches reared for 30 days (91.3%) and 90 days (81.4%) than those reared for 60 days (67.8%) and 120 days (54.9%) periods. The average crude protein content of the cockroach meal was higher at 90 days (720.4 g/kg) and 60 days (716.8 g/kg) than other periods. In conclusion, rearing cockroach nymphs on diet D2 for 90 days was found to be the most effective way of producing cockroaches with relatively low production costs. Further study is recommended on evaluation of the produced cockroach meal as source of animal protein in the diets of broiler chicken.
},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Effects of Diets and Rearing Periods on the Yield and Nutritional Quality of Cockroach Meal as Source of Protein to Broiler Chicken

AU  - Elisha Christian Lyawatwa
AU  - Martin John Martin
AU  - Germana Henry Laswai
Y1  - 2025/10/10
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aje.20250904.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.aje.20250904.11
T2  - American Journal of Entomology
JF  - American Journal of Entomology
JO  - American Journal of Entomology
SP  - 111
EP  - 123
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-0537
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aje.20250904.11
AB  - A 3 x 4 factorial experiment was conducted to assess the effects of three diets (D1, D2 and D3) and four rearing periods (T30 (30 days), T60 (60 days), T90 (90 days) and T120 (120 days) on the performance and economics of mass production of American cockroaches as source of animal protein in the diets of broiler chickens. A total of 1380 cockroach nymphs (10th-14th instars) were allotted randomly to the diets and rearing periods and replicated five (5) times in buckets. Data on feed intake, growth performance, survival rates, number of ootheca and cost components were recorded and analysed. Samples of the feed ingredients, diets and cockroach meal were collected and analysed for nutritional values using standard methods. Diet D1 was a well-balanced commercial broiler starter, whereas diets D2 was made from three organic wastes and D3 being made from various organic wastes with fortification of minerals and vitamins. The cumulative feed intake by the cockroaches on diet D2 (45.26 g) was higher (p<0.05) than that of diets D1 (26.8 g) and D3 (37.74 g). Cockroaches fed on diet D2 had higher weight gain (7.4 g) than diets D1 (5.9 g) and D2 (4.1 g). Similarly, cockroaches reared for 90 days had higher weight gain (7.6 g) than those reared for 30 (2.5 g), 60 (5.7 g) and 120 (7.3 g) days. The number of ootheca produced were higher (P<0.05) on diet D2 (35) than on diet D1 (13) and D3 (12). The higher (P<0.05) mean survival rate was observed in cockroaches reared for 30 days (91.3%) and 90 days (81.4%) than those reared for 60 days (67.8%) and 120 days (54.9%) periods. The average crude protein content of the cockroach meal was higher at 90 days (720.4 g/kg) and 60 days (716.8 g/kg) than other periods. In conclusion, rearing cockroach nymphs on diet D2 for 90 days was found to be the most effective way of producing cockroaches with relatively low production costs. Further study is recommended on evaluation of the produced cockroach meal as source of animal protein in the diets of broiler chicken.

VL  - 9
IS  - 4
ER  -

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