Insects in Poultry Nutrition: Enhancing the Health, Gut Status and Welfare
ABSTRACT The development of the gastrointestinal tract and gut morphology is greatly influenced by the composition of the gut microbiota, as well as the structure and function of the digestive system. A properly balanced gut microbiota facilitates the digestion of feed components, promotes nutrient utilization, and stimulates the development of the immune system. Previous studies have demonstrated that the gut microbiota can be influenced by the administration of feed additives such as prebiotics or probiotics. These compounds affect the animal’s humoral immunity, enhancing nutrient absorption, which in turn improves growth performance and overall health. More recently, insects have been identified as a significant source of nutrients and biologically active compounds that can positively influence gastrointestinal health by modulating microbiome diversity without negatively affecting production parameters or product quality. Chickens can be fed insects directly, or the insects can be processed into insect meals and added to the diet as a supplement. Thus, the objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive insight into recent findings published over the last ten years regarding the role of insects in enhancing the health, gut status, and welfare of poultry in production systems.