ECOnourish Media Centre

ECOnourish Media Centre

ECOnourish As seen in Fancy Fowl Magazine and The Country Smallholder

Welcome to the ECOnourish Media Centre where you can find everything you need to know about ECOnourish, the people behind the bugs, factsheets about BSF larvae, our contact details, latest press releases and social media and traditional media coverage.

About ECOnourish

ECOnourish Live BSF Larvae

ECOnourish is more than just a brand; it’s a lifestyle choice for those who care about their pets and the environment. We’re a pioneering family business that is revolutionising the poultry feed industry with our innovative and eco-friendly approach.

We are the first UK Black Soldier Fly larvae producer to provide a direct farm-to-coop supply of LIVE Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSF) for domestic poultry keepers. With full DEFRA approval, we believe live BSF larvae are the future of poultry nutrition and environmental enrichment.

Our scientifically backed and evidence-based approach won us an Innovate UK grant, which funded prototype development for large-scale BSF larvae farming and a scientific research project. The research with The University of Reading revealed astonishing benefits to the well-being of chickens. Live-feeding BSF larvae has multifold nutritional immune benefits, proven to improve gut health and immunity and prevent disease.

We aim to bring the forefront of science and agricultural development directly into the gardens of poultry keepers and smallholders – because all animals deserve access to the benefits of Black Soldier Fly larvae.

Paul Cartwright – Co-Founder – Bio & Credentials

Paul Cartwright ECOnourish

Paul’s roots are deeply embedded in the teeming cluck of a Zambian chicken farm, where his affinity for poultry was born. Although he stepped away from commercial chicken farming, the love for these feathered friends remained a strong family bond, with each member nurturing their own pet chickens around the globe. Including Paul and his family, who have a flock of four hens in their Buckinghamshire garden.

As a seasoned agricultural economist, Paul commands a profound understanding of the multifaceted nature of the agricultural industry. His robust insight into economic dynamics, coupled with a singular dedication to sustainable practices, unwittingly set the stage for his leap into the groundbreaking world of Black Soldier Fly larvae farming.

Intrigued by the forward-thinking fusion of innovative research and sustainable techniques, Paul found a new purpose — to redefine the landscape of animal feed. His focus became improving poultry health and nutrition whilst investing in the environmentally beneficial circular economy of BSFL farming — the two resulting byproducts of which, bio-compost and bio-leachate, have valuable, sustainable plant growth properties. This innovative arena offered a path to contribute to an environmentally responsible and economically viable farming method, paving a dynamic, impact-driven, and future-oriented trajectory for his career.

This shift of focus led to the birth of ECOinsect, a bold first step in nurturing his newfound passion. Not long after, ECOnourish evolved — a venture bred from his enduring love for chickens and ambition to teleport sustainable agriculture from vast farms to the cosy backyards of domestic poultry owners.

Contact: paul.cartwright@ecoinsect.co.uk

Scientific Evidence for BSFL benefits

Research AreaStudies
BSF Larvae Environmental ImpactEnvironmental Impact Assessment of Black Soldier Fly Production as a Feed – Thompson et al 2020
BSF Larvae’ Frass BenefitsA biochemical analysis of Black Soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larval frass plant growth promoting activity – Green 2023
BSF Larvae Benefits for Poultry230621_Innovate-UK-ECOinsect-poultry-final-report-Download
Feeding Live Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens) to laying hens: effects on feed consumption, hen health, hen behavior and egg quality -Tahamtani et al 2021
Provisioning of live black soldier fly larvae (hermetia illucens) benefits broiler activity and leg health in a frequency- and dose- dependent manner – Ipema et al 2021
Gradual Provision of Live Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae to Older Laying Hens: Effect on Production Performance, Egg Quality, Feather Condition and Behavior
Black soldier fly larvae used for environmental enrichment purposes: Can they affect the growth, slaughter performance, and blood chemistry of medium-growing chickens?
Long-term access to live black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) stimulates activity and reduces fearfulness of broilers, without affecting health
Evidence of The Importance of Calcium:Phosphorus Ratio for Poultry Health & Skeletal & Eggshell StrengthDietary calcium or phosphorus deficiency impairs the bone development by regulating related calcium or phosphorus metabolic utilization parameters of broilers
Evaluation of the dietary interaction of calcium and phosphorus in the high producing laying hen
Effects of partial or complete replacement of soybean meal with commerical black soldier fly larvae (Hermita illucens) meal on growth performance, ceval short chain fatty acids, and excreta metabolome of broiler chickens -Fruci et al 2023
BSF Larvae and Improving Antimicrobial ResistanceInsect antimicrobial peptides: potential weapons to counteract the antibiotic resistance
Antimicrobial Peptides from Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) as Potential Antimicrobial Factors Representing an Alternative to Antibiotics in Livestock Farming
Antimicrobial Activity of BSFLAntimicrobial Activity of Chitosan Oligosaccharides with Special Attention to Antiparasitic Potential
Beyond the protein concept: health aspects of using edible insects on animals
A bioinformatic study of antimicrobial peptides identified in the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)
Antiviral Applications of Lauric Acid from BSFLLauric Acid from the Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) and Its Potential Applications
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