Cost reduction and value adding for farmed house crickets

Abstract

An experiment for suitable cricket rearing diet formulae for farmed house crickets (Acheta domesticusL.) to reduce feed costs was conducted. Four mixed diet formulae using soybeans, toasted coconuts, corn, rice bran, cassava roots, and dried cassava leaves were tested and compared with the commercial chicken feed (21% protein). The results showed that in the first generation of breeding, crickets fed with the commercial chicken feed provided the highest average total body weight at 1,946.93 g, the rearing time was 41-42 days, and the feed cost was 35.94 baht/kg. A diet formula using 25% dried cassava leaves provided the second best average total body weight at 1,224.50 g, the rearing time was 44-47 days, and the feed cost was 22.74 baht/kg. The second generation breeding with four tested diet formulae was not significantly different with average total body weight at 1,691-1,845 g. Cricket rearing time using the commercial chicken feed (21% protein) was 44 days, but the feed cost was 33.81 baht/kg. On the other hand, the rearing time was 45-47 days, and the feed cost was 25-30 baht/kg using mixed diet formulae. Four new products made from cricket powder were evaluated: chili paste, crisps, cookies, and noodles mixed with crickets. The consumer preference of the new products was evaluated for product quality, including appearance, color, texture, flavor, and preferences by using 9 score levels from at least 30 volunteers. The consumer satisfaction results showed that the chili paste was the most favored with the highest average score of 7.67±1.20; followed by crisps, cookies, and noodles with average scores of 7.50±0.92, 7.39±1.10, and 6.63±1.25, respectively.