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- #24,301
Sally!!!!!!!!
from another thread
Originally Posted by crazy huhn
First of all: we are talking about farmed meal worms and not "wild" meal worms.
These are two totally different species:
Farmed meal worm: Tenebrio Molibro vs "Wild" meal worm also called "lesser meal worm" or Alphitobius diaperinus
Correctly farmed meal worms, Tenebrio Molibro (not allowing them to feast upon dead matter, feeding them fresh organic bran and veggies) are very safe and an excellent source of protein for your poultry to supplement a commercial mixed feed. "Wild" meal worms, Alphitobius diaperinius will transmit any disease or pathogenic bacteria from the source they are feeding on. This includes being a carrier host for internal parasites and they ARE a true pest to our poultry and even a health risk to humans (E.Coli, Salmonella, just to name a few).
Also: it is not the meal worm larva (commonly referred to as the meal worm) of the Alphitobius diaperinus that spreads poultry diseases such as Marek's, Newcastle disease, fowl pox etc., it is the beetle.
Responsibly farmed meal worms are a lot safer to feed to your poultry than any other insect or bug from your garden or compost pile.
For example check out these sources from the University of Florida, Australian Wildlife Association or one of our very respected BYC members Diana:
http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/livestock/poultry/lesser_mealworm.htm
http://www.ozanimals.com/Insect/Lesser-Mealworm-Beetle/Alphitobius/diaperinus.html
http://www.dlunicorn.conforums.com/index.cgi
Not enough proof in that for me, does this poster sell them?
Here are my own links that I have saved.... perhaps I misread them? Crazy diseases bugs, worms, disease, intestinal issues (read first link) that this Tenebrionidae (Darkling Beetles) Family can spread to chickens AND some even to us! Both of the above stated Coleoptera Beetles are in the same family Tenebrinidae family. they have some strange stuff going on with them... when you have time this is a really detailed read on the subjects... note the info on cocci and how closely related they are...
please share what you find in the article that stands out.... perhaps its just me IDK but I wont feed them as I have so many other BETTER choices to feed my birds.
http://books.google.com/books?id=6R...page&q=Genus Tenebrio marek's disease&f=false
http://bugguide.net/node/view/244339
http://bugguide.net/node/view/36899
