M. Naeem
Abstract Insects are receiving increasing attention as alternative feed ingredients in poultry nutrition because they combine high nutrient density with the potential to reduce dependence on conventional protein sources such as soybean meal and fishmeal. This narrative review evaluates the nutritional characteristics, functional bioactive components, and practical applications of insect-derived ingredients in poultry feeding systems. Commonly studied species, including black soldier fly larvae, yellow mealworms, house crickets, and silkworm pupae, provide substantial amounts of protein, lipids, minerals, vitamins, and biologically active compounds such as chitin, antimicrobial peptides, and lauric acid. Available evidence indicates that insect meals can partially replace conventional protein ingredients in broiler and layer diets without adversely affecting productivity, while moderate inclusion levels may improve feed efficiency, gut health, immune-related responses, and selected meat or egg quality traits. However, responses vary according to insect species, rearing substrate, processing method, and dietary inclusion level. Broader adoption remains constrained by challenges related to production scalability, economic competitiveness, safety assurance, regulatory variation, and product standardization. Overall, insects represent promising functional feed ingredients that may contribute to more sustainable and resource-efficient poultry production systems.