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worms in bird food

post #1 of 7
1/29/12 at 8:09am
Thread Starter 

Someone gave me a bag of wild bird feed.  When I opened it, there were little white worms.  

Are these meal worms?  

Can I still use it as feed?  As a treat?

Can I raise the worms in a meal worm farm?

When it rains you can choose to look down in the mud puddles or up to God's rainbow!

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When it rains you can choose to look down in the mud puddles or up to God's rainbow!

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post #2 of 7
1/29/12 at 10:43am

can you post a pic? mealworms are normally light brown...

I am the proud co-owner to a bunch of Silkies, 5 d uncle Millies, 1 cochin, a bunch of fish, 6 Nigerian dwarf goats, and 5 parrots.
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I am the proud co-owner to a bunch of Silkies, 5 d uncle Millies, 1 cochin, a bunch of fish, 6 Nigerian dwarf goats, and 5 parrots.
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post #3 of 7
1/29/12 at 10:52am

I would feed it, yes.

 

I do want to mention that if you can, use it up quickly as bugs/worms in feed will use up the nutrients in the feed. So if it is the layer ration, for example, they will be eating poor quality food.

 

Yours is just a treat, so it shouldn't be a problem. I wouldn't bring it in the house though. hide.gif

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Egyptian Fayoumis are one of the world's treasures and are magnificent creatures.

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Read about Egyptian Fayoumis here: http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/316739/egyptian-fayoumis-info and more here: http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/281062/fayoumi-bigawi-qarafa-and-old-egyptian 

Egyptian Fayoumis are one of the world's treasures and are magnificent creatures.

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post #4 of 7
1/29/12 at 11:51am

sounds like maggots to me, I would certainly be careful where you store it, but as far as it being ok to feed to the chickens I really can't see a problem with it

Just hubby and I....and 2 Mini Schnauzer, 1-Speckled Sussex, 1-Black Star, 1-Red Star, 1-BO, 2BR and 2 Light Brahmas
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Just hubby and I....and 2 Mini Schnauzer, 1-Speckled Sussex, 1-Black Star, 1-Red Star, 1-BO, 2BR and 2 Light Brahmas
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post #5 of 7
1/29/12 at 12:17pm
  • Imp
  • All things share the same breath- Chief Seattle

Sounds like moth larvae to me. Looks like little white/tan catapillars? webs in the bag? Very common in bird seed. Not really a problem for birds. People will often just feed them to their parrots/caged birds.

If you want to eliminate them freeze the seed, for a few days, it kills the moth, larvae and eggs.

Do not leave it in your house if they get loose they can be heck to get rid of.

They have several names, moth worms, wax worms, weevils etc. I'm not sure what there real name is.

 

Imp

 

ETA- Chickens are Sweet is correct a heavy infestation can degrade the nutrition.

 

 

If all the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit,

for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to the man.

All things are connected.
Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth.

 

       ― Chief Seattle

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If all the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit,

for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to the man.

All things are connected.
Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth.

 

       ― Chief Seattle

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post #6 of 7
1/29/12 at 3:57pm
Thread Starter 

Thank you everyone for your replies!  I will have to inspect the critters and bag a little closer tomorrow when it is light out.

When it rains you can choose to look down in the mud puddles or up to God's rainbow!

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When it rains you can choose to look down in the mud puddles or up to God's rainbow!

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post #7 of 7
1/29/12 at 4:19pm

Indian meal moth larvae 

Proud owner of 4 Red Sex Links, 2 barred Rocks, 1 RIR, 2 Daschunds, a kid and a wife!!!

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Proud owner of 4 Red Sex Links, 2 barred Rocks, 1 RIR, 2 Daschunds, a kid and a wife!!!

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