earthworms for treats

[Gonzo]

we've been giving our babies earthworms almost daily as treats. Some we dug out of our back yard, and the others came from the co-op. is it safe for the babie to have them? My daughter thought she saw something last night that said it could possibly introduce diseases to the chicks. has anyone else done this or heard anything?

 

[hinkjc]

Earthworms are the tranfer agent for most internal parasites. I do not recommend feeding them to any chicks/chickens. What they pick up from the ground when they're older you can't help for, but I've found most of my birds won't even touch them. Regardless, once on the ground, you'll want to consider a routine worming regimen.

 

[Msbear]

My chickens will only eat them if they've been locked up for several days with no access to other, yummier stuff. It seems they ARE as tasty as they look

 

[Gonzo]

I wish I knew this last week! Drats! Will I need to worm them?

 

[blueskylen]

my chickens love them - they follow me around and go crazy if i pick up a shovel..

i put DE in their food daily, so am not too afraid of parasites that they might carry. they might not be the best treat, but are natural and free.

 

[hinkjc]

Here is a good parasite article that may be helpful.

http://www.aviagen.com/docs/Intestinal Worms_TUVol1.pdf

 

[Gonzo]

I've looked EVERYWHERE here locally for DE. nobody carries it! not even our co-op! any ideas on where to get it! Its looking like I may have to buy it online... when I do get it, can I also use it in my dog's and cat's food?

 

[joebryant]

Quote:
Thank you for posting that URL; it might come in handy someday, so I saved the URL in a Word document that I have for miscellaneous information about chickens.

 

[Judy]

gonzo&hispeeps :

I've looked EVERYWHERE here locally for DE. nobody carries it! not even our co-op! any ideas on where to get it! Its looking like I may have to buy it online... when I do get it, can I also use it in my dog's and cat's food?

http://www.custommilling.com/​

 

[joebryant]

gonzo&hispeeps :

I've looked EVERYWHERE here locally for DE. nobody carries it! not even our co-op! any ideas on where to get it! Its looking like I may have to buy it online... when I do get it, can I also use it in my dog's and cat's food?

Diatomaceous Earth (sources to buy) in INDIANA

1. Martinsville, Indiana Morgan County Feed Store 50# for $32

2. Graber's Hunting Supply (William Graber)
248 North 1050 East
Loogootee, IN 47553
Telephone 812-486-3606
Don't use the Google map directions
Driving directions to Loogootee, Indiana to buy food grade diatomaceous earth:
If you live in Indiana, do not use a Google map to get to the DE source in Loogootee, Indiana; it sent me on a wild goose chase, wasting HOURS of my time. Graber's Hunting Supply is northwest of Loogootee. Google map directions sent me about twelve miles south of Loogootee.
Thanks to a mailman (luck), I FINALLY found it. I bought two 50# bags for $21.95 each plus tax. When I left, I checked my odometer for tenths of miles on each road back and wrote NEW directions.
USE THESE DIRECTIONS, AND IT WILL BE EASY TO FIND:

Coming from the north on Highway 37, go 2.8 miles past the Bedford, Indiana, to exit S. R. 50 and turn right (west).
Drive 28.1 miles on S.R. 50 to and through S. R. 231 in Loogootee, IN. Stay on S. R. 50 another 1.6 miles until you come to Road 1200 East, turn right and go 5.6 miles north until you come to Road 600 North. Turn left on 600 North and go 1 1/2 miles to Road 1050 East. Turn right and go 1/4 mile north; there you will see the house and large barns on the right (corner of 1050 East and 625 North); the address is 6248 North 1050 East.

Coming from anywhere else, find your way to Loogootee, Indiana. Go to the intersection of S.R. 231 and S.R. 50 and go west on S.R. 50 1.6 miles to Road 1200 East... Follow the directions above from there.

WARNING! Coming from S. R. 50, there is no other way to get to Rd. 1050 East but off of 600 North, i.e., 1050 East is VERY short (about 1,000 feet) and does not go through to S.R. 50 or ANY other road from S.R. 50; however, there are some complicate backroad routes coming from the north that lead into the 625 North road; good luck if you try to use those back roads.

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You can buy food grade DE in the Shipshewana area at FD Miller's Feed & Supply. I don't know their prices.
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You can also get food grade DE fm Garden Harvest Supply in Berne, IN. Their website is GardenHarvestSupply.com . Their price is REALLY high if that's for pickup:
http://www.gardenharvestsupply.com/productcart/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=11
Diatomaceous Earth, Food Grade—5-lb. Bag Price $10.00
Diatomaceous Earth, Food Grade—50-lb. Bag Price $55.00
I just checked their delivery for 50 pounds: They wanted $18 for UPS delivery to me here in Indiana. OUCH! That's $73.00.
I only paid $21.95 for a 50# bag in Loogoottee, Indiana .​