Effects of brewers waste on the growth performance, survivability and hatchability of house crickets.
| dc.contributor.author | Ongel, Tonny | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-09-21T12:03:30Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-09-21T12:03:30Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2026 | |
| dc.description | Undergraduate research report | |
| dc.description.abstract | The increasing demand for sustainable and affordable sources of protein has created interest in insect farming, particularly cricket production. However, limited information is available on the suitability of locally available agro-based substrates for rearing house crickets (Acheta domesticus) in Uganda. This study aimed to determine the growth performance and hatchability of house crickets reared on different agro-based substrates. The experiment was conducted at Busitema University, Arapai Campus, using a quantitative experimental design. Four-week-old cricket nymphs were randomly distributed into three treatments: 100% maize bran as the control, 100% brewer’s waste, and a mixture of 50% maize bran and 50% brewer’s waste. Each treatment was replicated three times, with 50 nymphs per experimental unit, and the crickets were reared for eight weeks under similar environmental conditions. Data were collected on weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), survival, and reproductive performance. Descriptive statistics of 0.05 level of significant were used to compare treatment means. The results showed that total weight gain did not differ significantly among treatments (p = 0.850), although the maize bran control recorded the highest mean weight gain (8.683 ± 1.647 g). Total feed intake differed significantly (p = 0.032), with the 50% maize bran + 50% brewer’s waste treatment recording the highest intake (10.559 ± 0.108 g), followed by 100% brewer’s waste (10.341 ± 0.025 g). Overall FCR did not differ significantly among treatments (p = 0.477), with maize bran showing the best numerical efficiency. Survival also did not differ significantly, with final survival ranging from 42.7% to 44.7% survivability. Brewer’s waste treatment reached first egg laying earlier, at 39 days, compared with 46 days for the mixed diet and 49.3 days for maize bran. The study concludes that brewer’s waste can support house cricket production without significantly reducing growth or survival, although maize bran showed better feed conversion efficiency. Brewer’s waste, particularly when blended with maize bran, has potential as an alternative locally available substrate for sustainable cricket production. | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | Dr. Jolly Akullo Oder ; Busitema University. | |
| dc.identifier.citation | Ongel, T. (2026). Effects of brewers waste on the growth performance, survivability and hatchability of house crickets. [Unpublished undergraduate research report]. Busitema University. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://bdears.busitema.ac.ug/handle/123456789/9591 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Busitema University | |
| dc.title | Effects of brewers waste on the growth performance, survivability and hatchability of house crickets. | |
| dc.type | Other |