Intensive production of maggots (Musca domestica), an alternative to fish meal for fish feed in Burkina Faso

Abstract

The availability of local animal protein sources in quantity and quality is a concern for aquaculture sector stakeholders in Burkina Faso. This study aimed to make good quality protein sources available to fish farmers through the control of optimal conditions for intensive maggot production. The factors tested during the study are: attractant effect, temperature and humidity. The experimental design for producing maggots consists of 3 metal frames, each with 4 strainers. We have implemented 4 treatments to test the effectiveness of attractants. These are T0 (raw substrate), T1 (substrate + Soumbala), T2 (substrate + animal blood) and T3 (substrate + fish viscera) divided into each sieve. Four treatments were also implemented to test the effect of humidity on the production of maggots. These are T0 (without watering), T1 (2 liters of water on the first day), T2 (2 liters of water for 2 days) and T3 (2 liters of water for 3 days). The study showed that the best substrate for production maggots was found to be the fish viscus (1541g/m2). The variation of the moisture content of the substrate allowed to increase the production of maggots by 1227g/m2. These preliminary results show that a control of the production factors allows to improve qualitatively the intensive production of maggots.