Compost maggots? worm?

[KnitswithChickens]

I turned my compost pile today and found a substantial number of cream colored wrigglers that really resemble meal worms. I've never had them in my pile before, and the only thing that is different is that I've been tossing in the pine shavings when I clean out the coop. Do you think I can collect these

and give them to the chickies - if they love the mealworms maybe they'll love these too

I did try to take a picture, but my camera didn't have good enough resolution.

 

[Heelers&Chickens_OhMy]

My backyard is not very big and when my chickens are out of their coop they head straight for the compost pile. You probably don't even need to turn it - usher them to the pile and they will do the rest! They will eat whatever leftovers they like from the pile, as well as all the crawlies that help decompose it. They also poop on the pile, which makes the whole process a little more centralized

 

[Hazelnut]

Sounds like you have soldier flies. They are excellent for your compost. If you see black wasp-like insects flying around your compost, those are the adults. They don't bite or sting, they don't even have mouth-parts as adults. The huge wriggling mealworm things are the larvae. The first time I opened the lid to my compost and saw those writhing about in there, I completely freaked out! Then I did some research and found out that they are so beneficial to the composting process that some people actually buy them. Sorry, I don't have the answer for you, I was wondering if they would be okay to give to the chickens, too. I would like to know the answer myself. Apparently, they are not a carrier for any type of disease.

 

[Hazelnut]

Okay, I just did a bit of research, and found a website called blacksoldierflyblog.com, and according to that website, the larvae are considered to be highly nutritious to chickens. So if you think that what you have are soldier flies, then i think it's okay to give them to your chooks!