Vermitechnology as a potential source of earthworm meal for replacement of fish meal in poultry diets: A review

Abstract

Earthworms are regarded as ecosystem engineers for their ability to modify soils and plant communities. They are a good source of protein and are therefore used as live fish food and bait. Recently, they are being fed to livestock and fish as high quality protein supplements to replace fishmeal in fish and poultry diets because of the high cost of fishmeal, and for their high protein contents (above 60%). Large scale production of earthworm meal can be achieved through vermicomposting and vermiculture technologies: which are inexpensive and locally-available, using epigeic and endogeic species of earthworms that are prolific breeders and have high biomass production. The dynamic and growing poultry industry in Nigeria require a cheap, non-conventional but high quality animal protein ingredient that is readily available in large commercial quantities throughout the year to replace fishmeal. And earthworm meal produced through vermitechnology has the greatest potential of meeting this need, thus saving the nation millions of naira expended yearly on the importation of fishmeal from all parts of the world.