Chickens that don't like Mealworms?

[dai2dao996]

Many of my chicks didn't like them at first. It's an acquired taste with some of them, I guess. Now, I store them in the freezer. They make a nice cold treat during the hot summer months.

Interesting...

 

[Ihavesomechickens]

None of my chickens care for dried mealworms, I’ve never tried live ones though.

Some chickens just aren’t interested I guess. I always just thought mine were picky, but apparently a lot of other peoples chickens don’t like mealworms either.

 

[dai2dao996]

My chickens hate everything for at least 4 days. Food, changes in the coop, something new in the yard.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Mine enjoy them but it's almost always the first treat I offer chicks, so I guess that's why they take to them (no other options).

 

[centrarchid]

Bought a bag of mealworms as recommended by our store when our ISA Browns were just a few weeks old. They refuse to eat them. I keep trying, maybe one chicken takes a peck at one and breaks a piece off, never comes back for more. They love live bugs of any kind so they certainly seem interested in some protein, just not the mealworms. Strange! View attachment 2244708

RANCID

They have gone rancid from poor storage. Exposure to air / oxygen went to work on the fatty acids. My birds will reject rancid mealworms even though they hammer down live and properly stored mealworms.

 

[getaclue]

I raise my own, so "rancid" is not an issue.

 

[centrarchid]

I raise my own, so "rancid" is not an issue.

My statement was directed at the OP after seeing the packaging. Rancidity can occur in the freezer as well in your case although contrarianism though may be your specific issue.

 

[hogges]

RANCID

They have gone rancid from poor storage. Exposure to air / oxygen went to work on the fatty acids. My birds will reject rancid mealworms even though they hammer down live and properly stored mealworms.

That’s possible. They didn’t like them from day one but the chicks were still very young then. Since then the mealworms have been sitting on the counter for a couple of months and the zip loc may not have been always tight. Maybe they were already old from sitting in the store.

 

[Chickassan]

Some just don't like them, mostly see the dry ones getting snubbed.
Never seen a live one turned down, not once in 30 plus years.
Have had a 100% male hatch take a hard pass on dried ones,.
Blew my mind, little males normally dine following "will it fit?" guidelines, food snobbery isn't something you expect lol!

 

[Sassy13]

My chicks never touched the mealworms I got for them. I bought the same bag. They seem to enjoy live bugs, like grasshoppers. One of them caught a cricket today and was very happy!