Are Pet Store Mealworms Okay For Chicks??

[amelia123]

Hi Everyone!!

I have a Leopard Gecko and I get a container of 100 large mealworms. I'm wondering if it's okay to give a few to my chicks who are now just over 2 weeks old. I think it's the fact that the container the worms are living in, have some sort of sand/flakes in it, which I assume must be food for them, that is making me wonder if it's better to just buy a couple of mealworms individually from the pet store. Also, are dead mealworms better than live ones?? Thanks!!!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Mealworms are great. Live are probably better but dead are still animal protein.
Check the big box pet store websites and you can get them by the hundreds and thousands much cheaper than buying a few.

ETA
There's a great mealworm farming thread on here.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/492636/mealworm-farming

 

[chickielips]

Hi Amelia!
I also have a leopard gecko, and actually farm my own mealworms. MUCH cheaper than buying at the pet store!
At two weeks old, I think the large mealworms would be way too big for them. If you can get any of the tiny mealworms then 2 or 3 each would probably be ok. I personally wait until my chicks are around a month old before feeding them worms. Good luck with your babies

 

[amelia123]

Thanks!!

 

[amelia123]

Are there any other bugs that chicks like and can have??

 

[amelia123]

Hi Amelia!
I also have a leopard gecko, and actually farm my own mealworms. MUCH cheaper than buying at the pet store!
At two weeks old, I think the large mealworms would be way too big for them. If you can get any of the tiny mealworms then 2 or 3 each would probably be ok. I personally wait until my chicks are around a month old before feeding them worms. Good luck with your babies

Oh, and Chickielips: About how small should they be?? Half a centimeter?? And here's a link to a Leopard Gecko thread with a picture of my Leo

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/966887/leopard-gecko-thread-share-pictures-and-stories