Anyone grow worms for your chickens?

[key west chick]

I started out with a small container of mealworms from the pet store. Do not get the super ones, they are treated with something so they dont pupate. In a very short time, they will pupate and turn into beetles. I raise mine in a plastic drawer thingy I got form Target. I use any kind of crumbles I have on hand, either chick starter or layer crumbles. I feed them apples, potatoes or oranges, once again, whatever I happen to have. Been raising them for over a year now and have tons!

 

[NCSprout]

Quote:
If you are anywhere near a PetCo, they have the best price i have seen (500 are around $8)
...and you don't have to wait for them to come in the mail.

 

[Pet Duck Boy]

Quote:
True and fasle. King mealworms are the ones that are treated to prevent pupation, they look just like mealworms except they get 1/4 of an inch bigger. Super mealworms are a whole different species. (Zophobas morio) They get about 1 1/2 - 2 inches, are darker color overall, and breed slightly slower. To get them to pupate you need to seperate the worms at the correct size in a dark container. They will then pupate and molt to beetles.

Mealworms are easily bred for me, they make great bird food and my chickens enjoy them when they don't get roaches. I would disagree with some of the protein percentages stated. They typically stick around 19%-21%, have a good amount of chitin, and are fatty. Of course this can vary widly with mealworms, because mealworms will be what you feed them.

 

[key west chick]

Ok, thanks. I knew some kind of larger mealworms were treated, just didnt know that they were supers and kings!