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The aim of the study was to determine the effects of replacing soybean meal with insect meal on the body weight and the chemical composition of selected muscle groups of common pheasant females and males, including the mineral composition and the amino acid profile of the thigh and breast muscles. The study was conducted on three feeding groups, namely one control and two experimental groups. In the control group, plant feed components were used, which are commonly used to feed pheasants in confined breeding facilities. In the experimental groups, 100 g (group II) and 200 g (group III) portions of insect meal were introduced instead of the plant-protein components. The experiment used a preparation of insect larvae ( Hermetia illucens ) containing approximately 52% crude protein. The pheasant diet supplementation applied contributed to an increase in the proportion of muscles in the carcasses, with the highest effectiveness obtained for a 20% addition of insect meal. Lower and significant differences were noted in the feed conversion by birds from the experimental groups, as compared to the control group. The chemical composition of the birds' muscles also changed. The experimental groups exhibited higher protein and fat contents and a lower water content. No significant changes in the amino acid profile or the mineral composition of the muscles were noted. The few exceptions concerned the methionine levels in both muscle groups and the isoleucine levels in the breast muscles. In most cases, the mineral composition did not vary significantly ( p < 0.05). When supplementing the diet of breeding pheasants for improving meatiness, a 20% addition of insect meal is recommended, which affects the production effect of this trait while reducing feed consumption and maintaining the fatty acid profile.

The study aimed to determine the effect of replacing 75% of inorganic calcium, iron, zinc, and copper salts with organic forms (glycine chelates of these elements) with or without the addition of l-carnitine on some reproductive traits and the blood lipid and mineral profile, as well as mineral and fatty acid profile of pheasant egg yolk. The study was performed on three groups of pheasant hens using glycine chelates with calcitriol (group II) or analogical treatment with the addition of l-carnitine at the level of 100 mg/kg of feed (group III) instead of Ca, Fe, Cu, and Zn salts (control). The replacement of inorganic forms with glycinates contributed to an increase in the number of laid eggs with a concomitant lower share of rejected eggs. The supplementation of organic forms of minerals improved mineral absorption and bioavailability in blood serum as well as in the egg yolk of experimental groups. Egg yolk fat was characterized by a higher proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids and a favorable ratio of PUFA ω-3/ω-6. The proposed nutritional supplementation of the pheasant's diet might be a good strategy for increasing the nutritional reserves of poultry and improving their reproduction.