New research from Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and insect‑technology company Flybox suggests that scattering black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) onto broiler house litter could offer poultry producers an immediate, cost‑effective welfare uplift—at a time when the UK sector faces growing pressure to demonstrate higher welfare without adding significant cost.

The findings, which will be presented at the World's Poultry Congress in Toronto (13–17 July 2026) and at the WPSA UK Spring Meeting (22–23 April 2026, Manchester), indicate that insects stimulate natural foraging and activity, even in fully indoor systems.

A peer‑reviewed paper underpinning the work has been published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science.

Positive behavioural effects without compromising performance

Across multiple NTU trials, researchers found that scattering BSFL:

• Significantly increases active behaviours such as foraging, walking, running, preening and dustbathing in fast‑growing broilers.
• Boosts foraging motivation even on days when no insects are offered, indicating a lasting behavioural benefit.
• Does not negatively affect growth rate, feed intake, FCR or gut development, making it commercially practical.

A realistic welfare step amid Better Chicken Commitment pressures

The UK poultry sector continues to grapple with the challenges of meeting Better Chicken Commitment (BCC) requirements. Food‑service buyers increasingly expect adherence, while retailers hesitate to absorb cost increases—and the UK currently lacks sufficient shed capacity to accommodate BCC stocking densities.

In this context, practical, enrichment‑driven welfare improvements are gaining attention. Unlike major structural changes, live scattered insects can be implemented immediately, require no additional equipment, and are compatible with today's production systems.

Industry‑aligned welfare innovation

The publication marks a major milestone for early‑career scientist Chris Onuoha, whose work is now gaining international attention ahead of presentations at both the WPSA UK Spring Meeting and the World's Poultry Congress in Toronto.

Lead author Chris, a PhD researcher in Nottingham Trent University's School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, said: "Our research shows that something as simple as scattering insect larvae can meaningfully change how broilers interact with their environment. We observed more natural foraging, more movement, and more engagement—exactly the kinds of behaviours linked to better welfare."

Flybox CFO Thomas Stringer added: "Chickens are natural foragers. By supplying insects in a scalable, biosecure way, we enable producers to enhance welfare with minimal disruption."

Next steps

Professor Emily Burton heads NTU's Poultry Research Unit and is widely recognised for translating poultry welfare science into practical solutions for commercial farms.

She said: "Producers need welfare solutions that work with current shed design and economics. Our data show that insects deliver a meaningful welfare benefit without undermining production efficiency."

NTU and Flybox are encouraging integrators, retailers and producers to explore commercial‑scale trials of BSFL enrichment.

With the research set to be showcased at two of the most important poultry science meetings of 2026, the teams expect growing international interest in insect‑based enrichment as a practical route to "a life worth living" for indoor broilers.