International Journal of Biotechnology and Biochemistry

ISSN 0973-2691 Volume 4 Number 2 (2008) pp. 197205

Research India Publications
http://www.ripublication.com/ijbb.htm

Sustainable Commercial Maggot Production

(Maggotry) For Animal & Aquafeeds In Rivers State,
South South Nigeria

A.O. Aniebo*, S.N. Wekhe*, E.S. Erondu*** O.J Owen*, E.N Ngodigha**** and
N.O. Isirimah**

*Department of Animal Science, **Department of Soil and Environmental Science,

Rivers State University of Science and Technology, PMB 5080 Port Harcourt, Nigeria
okeyphasona@yahoo.com
***Department of Animal Science and Fisheries, University of Port Harcourt.
Nigeria.
****Department of Animal Science and Fisheries, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce
IslandBayelsa State. Nigeria.

Abstract

A model for commercial production of house fly (Musca domestica) larvae meal
(HFLM) was studied and subsequently established as a technique for recycling
blood waste to protein feed resource. It involved the evaluation of the suitability
of three plant by-products namely wheat bran (WB) rice dust (RD) and saw dust
(SD) as absorbent materials for blood waste in the creation of conducive substrate
medium for larvae development. The efficiency and viability of the design in
terms of abattoir blood potential, suitable absorbent materials, and their
percentage mixtures with blood were investigated over a period of twelve months.
Results from data collected showed that the annual blood waste potential in
Rivers State was between 2,461,633kg - 2,518,000kg. Wheat bran was identified
as the best material for absorbing blood waste, as it produced 7.16kg HFL in
whole undiluted blood (WUB). HFL potential in the state was estimated to be
705,012 - 721,155 per annum on wet basis and 315,089 - 322,304kg on dry basis.

Key words: Housefly maggot, blood, wheat bran, rice dust, saw dust.
198 A.O. Aniebo et al

Introduction
The costs of poultry and fish feeds have continued to increase in recent times. These high
feed costs can be attributed to scarcity and high cost of feed ingredients particularly
protein supplements. The cost of fish meal, the most guaranteed animal protein source
has become prohibitive. Plant sources even though not balanced, are not cheap either.
Good quality fish meal costs over $2.1 per kg, about thrice the cost of soyabean meal and
four times the cost of groundnut cake (GNC). There is thus need for alternatives to these
exorbitant protein sources. The development of non conventional protein supplements
such as insect larvae in commercial quantity appears to be possible alternative. House fly
larvae meal has been found to be not only rich in limiting essential amino acids, but also
highly available to poultry, pig and fish, save that it is not yet available in commercial
quantity. In other words, the development of insect larvae in naturally occurring decaying
matter, particularly animal manure, and their use as protein sources have been widely
reported only at experimental levels1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12.13. However, information on
commercial models is lacking as all known authors and researchers are in agreement that
commercial maggot production has not yet been developed and has remained the only
bottle neck in the exploitation of this tested feed resource. The low cost protein
emanating from this would encourage poultry, livestock and fish farmers, promote fish
and poultry industry, and possibly lead to increase in animal production and consequent
economic affordability of the needed animal protein. The objective of this study therefore
is to develop a commercial model for sustainable maggot meal production via conversion
of abattoir and other plant wastes to feed resource a solid waste management strategy.

Materials and Methods

Daily and annual slaughter figures of two species of animals (cattle and goat) commonly
slaughtered in Rivers State were monitored and determined using the Rumueme slaughter
slab as a case study for 30 days. Blood potential of the slab was based on the average
weight of blood yield per cow/goat from three categories (A,B,C) of each of the animal
species. Official record of all registered slaughter slabs and their slaughter figures were
obtained from the Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture. The actual blood yield at
Rumueme Slaughter slab was used to project the Rivers State yield. Sample collection for
substrate mixture (medium for larvae production) was carried out thrice per month for 12
months

Twenty-five kg of whole undiluted blood (WUB) was mixed with five kilogram of each
absorbent material namely wheat brain (WB), rice dust (RD) and saw dust (SD) and
exposed for biodegradation in an open sided space of 4.32m2 demarcated into three equal
parts of 1.44m2 each. House flies laid eggs in the substrate which hatched into larvae and
were harvested on the 5th day of substrate exposure. Altogether, there were three test
absorbent materials (Table 1). Each of the three absorbent materials was mixed with
Sustainable Commercial Maggot Production (Maggotry) 199

WUB to form the substrates (representing three treatments) and were allowed to ferment
for 48 hours. The odour of fresh blood and subsequently, the fermenting mixture attracted
flies to enter and perch on the mixture through the opened front screen, which was closed
on the 2nd day. Samples of the flies were captured and were identified by Entomologist as
houseflies. HFLM per quantity of blood was determined from the most efficient
treatment. Based on the projected daily and annual slaughter figures in the state, HFL
potential in Rivers State was determined. Proximate analysis by14 was used to determine
the nutrient composition of blood and absorbent materials used in the substrate mixture.
Data collected were subjected to analyses of variance procedure of15 and means were
separated using16.

Results
Results of blood yield (Table 2) showed that large cattle yielded significantly (P<0.5)
more blood (16.16kg) than medium cattle (12.36kg) and small cattle (9.29kg), while large
goats yielded significantly more blood (0.99kg) than both medium and small categories
(0.61 & 0.56kg). Based on mean blood yield of 12.6kg and 0.72kg per cattle and goat
respectively, the slaughter figures at Rumueme slab and projections made for the state,
were 29 cattle and goats/day at Rumueme and 1,040 1,362 cattle and goats/day in
Rivers State. The daily blood yield projection at Rumueme slab and Rivers State were
234.72kg and 6,744.2 6,897.5kg respectively (85,673kg and 2.461,633 - 2,518,000kg
respectively per annum).
Results of maggot production (Table 3) revealed that WB + WUB (S1) yielded the
highest quantity of maggot (7.16kg). the yield was significantly better (P<0.05) than S2
(RD+WUB) and S3 (SD+WUB) that yielded 2.46kg and 0.13kg respectively. Blood yield
projection and maggot yield potential in Rivers State showed that 25kg WUB has the
potential to yield 7.16kg wet maggot equivalent to 3.2kg dry maggot. Therefore, state
daily blood output of 6,744.2 6,897.5kg has the potential to yield 1,9321,975.2kg wet
maggot (863883kg dry maggot). The annual maggot potential in Rivers State from
blood output of 2,461,633 2,518,000kg was 705,012 721,155kg (315,089
322,304kg dry maggot).

Discussion
The significant (P<O.05) difference observed in the quantity of blood yielded by meat
animals of different sizes agrees with the report that blood yield is a percentage of body
weight17. The total projected blood yield gives an insight of the actual volume of blood
that is wasted on daily basis and the pollution load that is exerted on the surface water
bodies adjoining slaughter houses in Rivers State. This is consistent with the findings
of18,19,20, that blood and gut contents were discharged directly into nearby water bodies
where they constitute pollution threat to aquatic life. This supports the report that
200 A.O. Aniebo et al

facilities for waste recovery, treatment and re-use are non-existent in most Nigeria
abattoir21,20. This practice undermines the utility of the abundant resources that abound in
these blood wastes22.
The choice of fresh animal blood and agro-by products as substrate mixtures is to
remove any bias of fish/meat consumers that maggots grow in decomposing waste and
animal faeces which are repugnant and distasteful23,11. Hence, production of maggots as
in this present study is from acceptable substrate. Result showed that WB + WUB
supported larval growth more efficiently and was significantly better than RD + WUB
and SD + WUB. This confines from the fact that WB has better nutrient composition and
availability than RD and SD24,25,26,27, The short metamorphic period of maggot (3 - 4
days) could have been too short a time for microbial degradation of cellulose and other
fibrous components of SD and to a lesser extent RD. The high density of RD could have
decreased aerobic conditions in the substrate mixture which ostensibly affected both
survival of eggs and hatched larvae adversely. This view is consistent with the report that
anaerobic manure was lethal or at least unsuitable for larval development28. The better
efficiency of WUB than DB could be attributed to reduced amount of nutrients available
to the maggots. In all cases, maggot yield was found to be inversely related to the residual
manure after maggot harvesting. This is consistent with the views of8 who stated that as
insect larvae feed on organic materials, they absorb the nutrients and reduce the waste
volume significantly. It was also observed that as biodegradation of substrate by maggot
progressed, the increasing size and activities of maggot appeared to be aerating the
medium and reducing both moisture content and odour emission from the substrate
correspondingly with the duration of biodegradation.
The blending of WB and SD was aimed at reducing the cost of WB. The result of
70:30 blend demonstrated that the combination of WB with cheaper saw dust could still
support maggot production as efficiently as whole WB. Comparing the best model in this
study (WB -WUB) with those reported by previous researchers, it could be seen that one
kg of substrate yielded 238.7g maggot against 28.34g maggot per kg manure by29and
15.15g per kg manure by30. The wide margin of over 230g maggot / kg substrate is proof
of its commercial status since blood, and wheat bran and sawdust are available all year
round. It could be deduced that the maggot yield is affected negatively by extreme
climatic conditions (extreme dry weather and too much rain). This is consistent with the
observations31 that fly breeding cannot be successful at a moisture level of 30% and less
and water logging prevents larval development. 32Also reported that 50% of eggs laid by
flies die if exposed to the sun for several hours. However, in a continuous production
system these climatic factors could be managed. Substrate could be sprinkled with water
in dry weather to prevent dehydration, while moisture level of the substrate could be
minimized during mixing in period of heavy rainfall.
It was observed that housefly population in a netted system depleted about the 3rd
month in a continuous production system. The depletion of housefly population could be
due to expiration of their life span33,34. It implies that the continued production and
harvesting of larvae which are never allowed to pupate or metamorphose into adult flies
Sustainable Commercial Maggot Production (Maggotry) 201

has the tendency of bringing a housefly population to extinction. To ensure continuity of

the process, intermittent batches of larvae population could be allowed to undergo
complete metamorphosis to bring back a new and vibrant generation of houseflies into
the system.
It is concluded that the mixture of WUB + WB is the best substrate for maggot
production or a combination of WB + SD in a ratio of 70:30 mixed with WUB for further
reduction in production cost. Where blood is not available in large quantity,50% dilution
with water will suffice.

Acknowledgement
We appreciate the following persons who assisted in the course of this study, Chinoso
Onyeguili Jonathan Chigbu, Mr. Peter Ajuogu & Mrs Aniebo Grace Chineme, Mr. Friday
Owuno and Dr. Okoli I.C and the butchers union of Rumueme slaughter slab for their
assistance and understanding.

Table 1: Characteristics of Substrate Mixtures

Substrate Characteristics
Treatment Absorbent material WUB
S1 5kg Wheat bran 25kg
S2 5kg Rice dust 25kg
S3 5kg Saw dust 25kg
202 A.O. Aniebo et al

Table 2: Blood Yield Projection Based on Data from Rumueme Slaughter Slab (Kg)

Parameters Cattle Goats Total

Blood yield/ animal

from category A 9.29 0.72c 0.56 0.10b 9.85
Blood yield/ animal
from Category B 12.36 0.87b 0.61 0.11b 12.97
Blood yield / animal
from category C 16.16 1.28a 0.99 0.23a 17.15

Av. Blood yield / 12.6 0.72 13.32

animal
Av. Daily slaughter 18 11
figure at Rumueme 29
Av. Daily blood
yield at Rumueme 226.8 7.92 234.72
Projected daily
slaughter figures in 498 652-864 1040-1362
Rivers State
Projected annual
blood yield at 82,782 2,891 85,673
Rumueme
Projected daily 469.44-
blood yield in Rivers 6,274 622.5 6,744-6,897
State
Projected annual 2,290,300 171,400 227,200 2,461,633
blood yield in Rivers 2,518,000
State

a,b,c, means within the same column with different superscripts are significant (P<0.05).
Sustainable Commercial Maggot Production (Maggotry) 203

Table 3: Blood Yield Projection and House Fly Larvae Potentials in Rivers State. (kg)

Parameters Blood Fresh maggot Dry

potential maggot
potential
a
Yield from WB+WUB 7.16+0.82 3.2

Yield from RD+WUB 2.46+0.5b 1.1

Yield from SD+WUB 0.13+0.05c 0.06

Quantity of HFL per

blood
Using WB+WUB 25 7.16

Daily blood yield and 6,744-6,898 1,932-1975 863-883

corresponding HFL
potential in Rivers State
Annual blood yield and 2,461,633-2,518,000 705,012-721,155 315,089-
corresponding HFL 322,304
potential in Rivers State

A, b, c, means within the same column with different superscripts are significant
(P<0.05)

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