Full-fat field cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus) as a substitute for fish meal and soybean meal for weaning piglets: effects on growth performance, intestinal health, and redox status.

Crickets are a promising, widely available protein source for pigs; however, their practical utilization requires detailed analyses of their effects in comparison with those of traditional protein sources. In this study, we demonstrate that the partial replacement of either fish meal or soybean meal with full-fat field cricket meal promotes growth and reduces the rate of diarrhea in weaning pigs. These beneficial effects may be mediated by the effects of FCP on intestinal morphology, serum immunoglobulin A concentration, proinflammatory and antioxidant enzyme activity, and fecal microbiota. Our findings provide a basis for the expanded use of field cricket powder as a replacement for fish meal and soybean meal in livestock feed.