Anyone feed bugs other than mealworms?

[Loriemarler]

I don't raise them myself, but some folks use black soldier fly larvae for their birds. I buy mine dried because I don't have time or the proper place to grow my own. 

I was just looking for info on black soldier flys. I was super lucky to find tons of black soldier fly larvae under my raised quail cage last summer. I didn't have chickens then but I fed them to my quail and also brought several cups of them to a science teacher that had a lizard. I sure hope they come back this spring so I can feed them to my chickens. Do people freeze them or just feed live?

 

[Kazfam]

Yes.

Our run has logs (from a felled cedar tree) all around the base of the fence to discourage 'coons, opossums, etc. from digging under the fence. We will periodically lift the logs and let the chickens peck away at what has congregated under the log...lots and lots of protein sources.

We are raising meal worms, black soldier fly larva, and will gather Japanese Beetles and Carpenter Bees this summer.

The Carpenter Bees drill holes in our deck - we have built a trap that will collect the bees in a jar - add a little water to wet their wings (prevent flying - do same for Jap. Beetles) - give to the girls. They love them.

 

[KatieKanDo]

Wow ! That was brilliant! My friends are always cautious when they get a beer or come over for dinner, because they never know what I might have wrapped up in the freezer or the refrigerator

Katie

 

[WYNot]

Last spring when the june bugs were around, I'd go out each night and catch all I could from around our porch lights. Usually ended up with about an inch or so of them in a pint jar. I'd put the lid on loosely and feed them to the girls the next morning. Quite the feeding frenzy.

Our hens free range whenever possible so they get lots of bugs on their own. We also toss them pest bugs when we are out working in the garden or flowerbeds. Yeah, they are spoiled.

 

[chad-o]

And no, I don't mean the chickens free ranging and finding their own bugs.

I know some people raise mealworms to supplement their chickens' diet, especially during winter. I was wondering if anyone raised and fed any other bugs like crickets or roly polies? I know both of these are fairly easy to raise, and I've been thinking of raising some for my chickens when I get them.

Thoughts?

I installed the bug zapper so the girls could have toasty treats.