Anyone feed bugs other than mealworms?

[SavageDestiny]

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?

 

[foreverlearning]

I don't raise them myself but I do buy live crickets for my girls. It is the funniest show you will ever see watching them catch the crickets. If you have something in mind I suggest you buy a few live ones at a pet store and see if your chickens like them, then go into raising them.

 

[pawtraitart]

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 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.

 

[Clay Mudd]

I don't raise any intentionally, but if I save any grubs I find while digging in the garden and toss them into the chicken run. That usually generates some excitement.

 

[lularat]

I don't raise any bugs or crickets, but my girls go crazy over crickets. I get them from our local bait shop and haven't been able to get them lately. It's been cold and not many people fish this time of the year. Probably be March before they have them again.

 

[SavageDestiny]

Hmm good ideas! I had forgotten about the black soldier flies. I just want my girls to have lots of options, and I'd rather raise the bugs myself and know what they have eaten before I feed them to my chickens.

 

[granthamkk]

I don't raise any, but my hens love it when I move the dogs igloo houses. It's like a special banquet. Lots of little creatures under there. I've found myself putting rocks places so I can flip them over in a few weeks.

 

[sueblack]

Wow. feeding live crickets to chickens. I am going to have to try this!

 

[FinnIslander]

Where I live, under the kelp that washes up on the beach are all sorts of pill bugs and amphipods. My girls love them!

 

[Mtn Laurel]

I don't raise any but I gathered and froze several gallon bags of cicada's for my girls this past summer. They've just finished them off. Pull out a handful and let them thaw a few minutes and then throw them in the run.

There were so many cicada's that the girls were gorging themselves on them. Figured I'd gather some for the winter when they'd be wanting something different. So glad I did, they loved them!