BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[RedRidge]

 
 What is BSF? What is it used for?
 Thanks,
 Karen

Karen BSF are black soldier flies.

I've read that some folks set up a small colony in the coop so that as the larva drop out the hens can snap them up.  Kinda cool if working on a small scale. 

M

I harvest my BSF daily during the summer months and freeze them. The chickens have plenty of their own bugs at that time so i save the bsf as their source of animal protein during the winter months. A ramp that is at the proper angle makes crawl off and daily harvesting very easy.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: I harvest my BSF daily during the summer months and freeze them. The chickens have plenty of their own bugs at that time so i save the bsf as their source of animal protein during the winter months. A ramp that is at the proper angle makes crawl off and daily harvesting very easy.
SHeri, I can deal with creepy crawlies if I can minimize the touching aspect. I appreciate bugs, but many I cannot tolerate touching. Others are a piece of cake. Depends on the bug. Suggestions on a set up and how to get a supply? Or should I find the BSF thread?

 

[hellbender]

I don't do flyie, crawlie things for the birds. Sorry. They get crumble, greens, and seeds. Crisp, clean and fresh.
I also keep meat bones and hang them up for them to clean off. I was meaning to ask tho. I have this processed
ham loaf. It is one of those chopped pressed molded hams? Anyway, it is too salty for me, even if I braise a slice in
7-UP. So I was wondering, does anyone know how I could cook it so the birds might like it? I thought maybe a slice
for them to peck at?
Thanks,
Karen
More power to ya'll with feeding little gooey ghoulies to your birds.

Let's take a look at this..."gooey ghoulies" or chopped, pressed and molded ham (or mystery meat) that's too salty for human consumption ...Which would my chickens be better off eating??????? Such a hard question!!!

All kidding aside Karen, if you just can't bring yourself to throw it away, give it to a neighbor.

 

[hellbender]

SHeri, I can deal with creepy crawlies if I can minimize the toughing aspect. I appreciate bugs, but many I cannot tolerate touching. Others are a piece of cake. Depends on the bug. Suggeations on a set up and how to get a supply? Or should I find the BSF thread?

How 'bout those giant cockroaches? I forget what their called but many people are raising them to provide good 'meat' protein the smaller flocks. I'd need 10,000 a day or I'd even consider 'em.

 

[Arielle]

karen you can always boil it-- cut up into large slices, and boil for an hour. Toss the water, which is now salty and feed the birds the COOOLed meat.

 

[Arielle]

home grown turkey for dinner!!

 

[gjensen]

How 'bout those giant cockroaches? I forget what their called but many people are raising them to provide good 'meat' protein the smaller flocks. I'd need 10,000 a day or I'd even consider 'em.

There is not many more productive critters on the planet. They would not be for everyone, but make as much sense as any.

 

[hellbender]

There is not many more productive critters on the planet. They would not be for everyone, but make as much sense as any.

I still can't remember what they're called. I don't know how I make such silly mistakes! OH...It came to me...

Dubia is what they're called!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[neopolitancrazy]

Fwiw, you can cut waste by feeding your feed moist rather than dry. Of course, it isn't pre-digested or full of probiotics, but they can't bill it out as easily as dry.

I haven't noticed a problem with flies. I usually feed just enough for one day, perhaps the birds gobble any slow, stupid flies before I notice.

 

[gjensen]

I still can't remember what they're called. I don't know how I make such silly mistakes! OH...It came to me...

Dubia is what they're called!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There is a few different kinds. Look them up on Kingsnake.com. I worked with a variety of exotics, most of my life. I raised insects as feeders before chickens were popular again. I raise my first batch of mealworms 25 years ago. Everything old becomes new again. Like sprouts, but now we call it fodder, lol.