Bug trail mix?

[the_peep_squad]

I bought a 5lb bag of mealworms that are pretty much chicken crack for my silkies. They go nuts for them.

I am considering getting a 5lb bag of black solider flies and a 8oz bag of crickets and mixing these together to make a bug trail mix to supplement the chickens.

The issue... 10lbs of bug trail mix is a lot for 4 chickens. I am worried that they might go bad before I can use them all. Is that something I need to worry about? I could order smaller amounts but that greatly increases the cost. Right now, I would average about $7.30lb. Buying smaller amounts would increase the cost to $10-13/lb.

What do you think? Am I being a crazy chick mom?

I was thinking of giving a handful of bugs a day. I dont want to over feed, but "wild" chickens would eat dozens of bugs a day.

Do chickens self regulate food? Do I need to worry about fat silkies?

 

[Folly's place]

Maybe a little crazy?! $10 per pound??? I see that stuff at the feed store too, and don't buy it. My birds can catch their own bugs and worms.
Yes, chickens will overeat the really yummy stuff, and unbalance their diet. They self regulate their intake of the balanced diet they have available free choice, but goodies, not so much. It's a reason why feeds that are blends of whole grains can be a big problem, because at least some individuals will pick out the really tasty (high fat) stuff and leave the rest.
Silkies are small! Unless you have zillions, how long will ten pounds of this stuff sit around, if you give it sparingly as treats? Maybe if you froze it?
I buy the cheap scratch mix as treats for my birds, and they are happy with that. I spend money on a very good base diet that doesn't need 'suppliments' to be improved.
Mary

 

[Homesteadermomma6382]

If it makes you happy do it!!! Put extra in the freezer you have room.. Should be ok it a cool dry place for quite a while though

 

[the_peep_squad]

Maybe a little crazy?! $10 per pound??? I see that stuff at the feed store too, and don't buy it. My birds can catch their own bugs and worms.
Yes, chickens will overeat the really yummy stuff, and unbalance their diet. They self regulate their intake of the balanced diet they have available free choice, but goodies, not so much. It's a reason why feeds that are blends of whole grains can be a big problem, because at least some individuals will pick out the really tasty (high fat) stuff and leave the rest.
Silkies are small! Unless you have zillions, how long will ten pounds of this stuff sit around, if you give it sparingly as treats? Maybe if you froze it?
I buy the cheap scratch mix as treats for my birds, and they are happy with that. I spend money on a very good base diet that doesn't need 'suppliments' to be improved.
Mary

I buy a good quality chicken feed, but I also want them to have variety in their diet. I do the same thing with my dogs and their food. They will have a coop with a run, but only limited "free range" time per day since I will need to be home to monitor for predators. Being a first time chicken mom, I want them to have the best without overdoing it too much.

 

[the_peep_squad]

If it makes you happy do it!!! Put extra in the freezer you have room.. Should be ok it a cool dry place for quite a while though

These are all dried bugs. I was thinking of getting an air tight container similar to what I use for chicken or dog food to store.

 

[Folly's place]

I agree that you should do whatever makes you happy, and the birds will like them too. Are they produced in the USA, or someplace with different food safety standards?
Mary

 

[rosemarythyme]

I wouldn't bother mixing it myself. If they like the mealworms, just stick with those - trust me the chickens won't get "tired" of them. Helps take out the hassle of buying 3 types of bugs and keeps the amount you need to store reasonable since you have a small flock.