Effect of dietary supplementation of post-extraction insect meal on anatomical and morphological traits of pheasants (Phasianus colchicus)

The study aimed to determine the effect of the use of insect meal in pheasant nutrition in aviary breeding on anatomical and morphological traits that may impact the survival of these birds in natural conditions and suitability for introduction. The study consisted of measurements of the weight and length of selected anatomical body parts of the pheasants (hens and cocks) from the two control and experimental groups. The control group consisted of 15 individuals (7 cocks and 8 hens) fed with a traditional mixture, and the experimental group comprised 15 birds (7 cocks and 8 hens) receiving an insect meal-supplemented mixture. The weight of the body parts was measured: body, carcass, breast muscles, whole thighs, thigh muscles, drumstick muscles, drumstick and thigh bones, heart, liver, stomach muscle, and head. The length of the spur (left), whole leg, humerus, forearm, femur, tibia, and sternum was also measured. The use of the insect meal contributed to increased leg muscle weight, which should be regarded as a positive trait in this species, given the threat of predation in natural conditions.