Bugs for protein

[Quailgenes]

Thinking about raising something that would be a good protein source the problem is I don't like bugs. The only thing I can think of that wouldn't weird me out is earth worms or similar. Is there a species of worm that stays small? Or other food source that I could handle as adults(don't stay larva forever). I don't like beetles, roach or moths. This cuts out black sliver flies, meal worms, and silkworms etc. I tried looking at the top list of bugs that reptile owner use. I want this for quail but I figure I would get more info here and that the only difference really is portions and nutrition. Is this a good spot for more general things then I ask specifics in the quail forum or should I stay there?

Forgot to add I have colony of snail I need to get rid of could they work?

 

[centrarchid]

Meal worms and crickets are both farmed for use as bait and animal feeds in the US. Purchased in small lots they will be very pricey but ideal for feeding to confined flocks. Pet stores will be on the upper end price wise with wildlife oriented stores targeting birds charging less. For my display birds I purchase cans containing 500 meal worms for just under $8. When I purchase them in lots of 5,000 they cost about $30 but come in a single large container that is hard to feed out of. Store in frig and good for at least 3 weeks. Crickets I used were fed out immediately to fish. Crickets tended to be cheaper in bulk on a per pound basis but do not keep as well.

 

[Quailgenes]

Can I bump here?

 

[HeritageGoose13]

You could feed them the snails.

I would look into red wiggler worms.

Another option you probably won't like, but just putting it out there, is cockroaches. They're easy to raise. In fact some people keep them as pets, believe it or not!