Scientists tested whether feeding quails a special diet made from mealworms and superworms could help them grow better. They divided 240 baby quails into four groups: one ate regular food, and three groups ate food mixed with different types of insect meal. After five weeks, the quails that ate a combination of both types of insect meal grew faster, needed less food to gain weight, and had healthier digestive systems than the others. This research suggests that insects could be a useful new food source for raising farm birds more efficiently.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether adding mealworm and superworm meal to quail feed would improve how fast the birds grow, how much meat they produce, and how well their digestive systems work.
  • Who participated: 240 newborn Japanese quails divided equally into four groups. Each group ate a different diet for 35 days (about 5 weeks).
  • Key finding: Quails that ate a combination of both mealworm and superworm meal grew better on less food compared to quails eating regular feed. Their digestive systems also showed signs of being healthier and better at absorbing nutrients.
  • What it means for you: If you raise quails or other poultry, insect-based feed could be a promising alternative to traditional protein sources. However, this research was done on quails specifically, so results might differ for other birds or animals.

The Research Details

Researchers started with 240 day-old quail chicks and randomly divided them into four equal groups of 60 birds each. Each group was split into five smaller sections to make sure results were reliable. The first group ate normal quail feed (the control group). The second group’s feed included 3 grams of mealworm meal per kilogram of food. The third group received 3 grams of superworm meal per kilogram. The fourth group got both types of insect meal mixed together at 3 grams each per kilogram of food.

All birds had unlimited access to food and water for exactly 35 days. The researchers carefully measured how much food each group ate, how much weight the birds gained, and how efficiently they converted food into body weight. At the end, they examined the birds’ meat quality and looked at their intestines under a microscope to see if the insect meal affected their digestive health.

This type of study design, called a Completely Randomized Design, is considered reliable because it reduces bias and helps prove that any differences between groups were caused by the different diets, not by chance or other factors.

This research approach is important because it tests a practical solution to a real problem in farming: finding sustainable and efficient protein sources for raising animals. By measuring multiple outcomes—growth, feed efficiency, meat quality, and digestive health—the researchers could get a complete picture of whether insect meal actually works as a replacement for traditional feed ingredients. The controlled conditions and careful measurements make the results trustworthy.

This study has several strengths: it used a large number of animals (240), divided them randomly into groups to reduce bias, and measured multiple important outcomes. The study was published in a respected scientific journal focused on poultry science. However, the study only lasted 35 days, so we don’t know if the benefits continue over a longer period. The research was done only on Japanese quails, so results might be different for chickens, turkeys, or other birds.

What the Results Show

The quails that ate the combination diet (both mealworm and superworm meal together) showed the best results overall. These birds ate less food than the control group but still gained more weight, meaning they were more efficient at converting food into body weight. This is important for farmers because it means lower feed costs and faster growth.

When researchers examined the meat quality, birds on the combination diet had a higher dressing percentage, which means a larger portion of their body weight was usable meat. This is another advantage for meat production.

The most interesting finding involved the birds’ digestive systems. Under a microscope, the intestines of birds eating insect meal showed taller finger-like structures called villi and deeper pockets called crypts. These changes suggest the birds’ digestive systems were working better and absorbing more nutrients from their food. Healthier digestive systems mean the birds can get more nutrition from less food.

All three groups that received insect meal (whether mealworm alone, superworm alone, or the combination) showed improvements compared to the control group. However, the combination of both types of insect meal consistently outperformed the single-insect diets. This suggests that using both types together might provide a more complete nutritional profile than using just one type.

Previous research has shown that insects are nutritious and could replace some traditional protein sources in animal feed. This study adds to that knowledge by showing that a combination of different insect types might work even better than using just one. The findings align with growing interest in sustainable farming practices and finding alternatives to conventional feed ingredients that might be more environmentally friendly.

The study only lasted 35 days, so we don’t know if the benefits continue as birds get older or if there are any long-term effects. The research was conducted only on Japanese quails, which are small birds, so the results might not apply to larger poultry like chickens or turkeys. The study didn’t examine the cost-effectiveness of insect meal compared to traditional feed, which would be important for farmers deciding whether to switch. Additionally, the study didn’t test different amounts of insect meal, so we don’t know if using more or less would be better.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, insect meal—particularly a combination of mealworm and superworm meal—appears to be a promising feed ingredient for raising quails. The evidence suggests it can improve growth, feed efficiency, and digestive health. However, this recommendation comes with moderate confidence because the study was short-term and only tested one type of bird. Before switching to insect-based feed on a large scale, farmers should consider consulting with a poultry nutritionist and possibly testing it on a small group first.

This research is most relevant to people who raise quails, whether for meat, eggs, or as pets. It may also interest farmers raising other small poultry birds, though results might differ. Feed manufacturers and agricultural researchers should pay attention as well. People interested in sustainable farming practices or alternative protein sources would find this relevant. However, if you don’t raise birds, this research won’t directly affect your daily life.

In this study, the benefits appeared within just 35 days, which is relatively quick. If someone were to switch quail feed to include insect meal, they might expect to see improvements in feed efficiency and growth within a few weeks. However, longer-term studies would be needed to determine if these benefits continue indefinitely or if there are any delayed effects.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If you raise quails, track weekly feed consumption (in grams) versus total body weight gain (in grams) to calculate feed conversion ratio. Compare this metric before and after switching to insect-based feed to measure real-world efficiency improvements.
  • Start by replacing 10-15% of your current quail feed with a commercial insect meal product, then gradually increase to the levels tested in this study (3 grams per kilogram) while monitoring your birds’ health and growth. Document any changes in feed costs, growth rates, and bird health.
  • Establish a baseline of your current feed efficiency metrics, then track weekly for at least 8-12 weeks after introducing insect meal. Monitor body weight gain, feed consumption, mortality rates, and overall bird health. Keep records to compare against your baseline and determine if the switch is beneficial for your specific operation.

This research was conducted on Japanese quails under controlled laboratory conditions and may not apply to other bird species or different farming environments. The study lasted only 35 days, so long-term effects are unknown. Before making significant changes to animal feed, consult with a veterinarian or animal nutritionist. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional agricultural or veterinary advice. Individual results may vary based on specific conditions, bird breeds, and farming practices.