African Black Beetle larvae

[Gill-b]

Are African Black Beetle larvae safe for poultry (particularly Guinea Fowl) to eat?

Asking just in case they are not for some reason or another ...like for instance, that the legs of a large larvae can possibly stick in the poultry's throat?

 

[R2elk]

Are African Black Beetle larvae safe for poultry (particularly Guinea Fowl) to eat?

Asking just in case they are not for some reason or another ...like for instance, that the legs of a large larvae can possibly stick in the poultry's throat?

I suspect they are okay. It appears that the grubs are referred to as "Lesser Mealworms".

Most information I see is based on how to kill them.

 

[Gill-b]

I am experiencing an outbreak of the beetle larvae (or grubs). I know the keet use to scratch around my strawberry plants for them, but those grubs were still small and easy to swallow. These grubs are full grow, making ready to become adult beetles for the beginning of spring. I notice that when I feed these large grubs to the Guineas that the Guineas seem to appear to struggle to swallow? But I am not certain. I just want to make sure that I am not unknowingly hurting the Guineas by offering them the large grubs.

 

[R2elk]

I am experiencing an outbreak of the beetle larvae (or grubs). I know the keet use to scratch around my strawberry plants for them, but those grubs were still small and easy to swallow. These grubs are full grow, making ready to become adult beetles for the beginning of spring. I notice that when I feed these large grubs to the Guineas that the Guineas seem to appear to struggle to swallow? But I am not certain. I just want to make sure that I am not unknowingly hurting the Guineas by offering them the large grubs.

If unsure, then don't.

 

[Gill-b]

@Karoo permaculture and @Jan-Erik, do you please have any experience and input (for the sake of interest, understanding and better knowledge), on the African Black Beetle larvae as per the questions above?

 

[Karoo permaculture]

Hi Gill

I often feed them to my chickens when I turn the compost over and get them, some of them are huge.

However saying that the chickens always pecks them apart before swallowing, I havent seen one trying to swallow them whole.

Maybe you can spade the big ones in half before feeding them?

 

[Gill-b]

Thanks @Karoo permaculture

That is an idea, I will try that ...although the Guineas ignore the ones that are not moving.

I just noticed that the big grubs do not seem to go down the Guineas throats smoothly and I got worried. Maybe it is because their throats are perhaps dry from eating bird seeds? Maybe it is just my imagination? ...and I get a bit paranoid or anxious sometimes when I am unsure of how my actions may effect the wellbeing of animals, so thank you for the reassurance that poultry do eat these grubs.