Earthworms in the chicken run

[Jdastardly]

I’m not sure if this has been addressed before, but I’ve been batting around an idea lately. I had the thought about regularly putting earthworms in to the chicken run, obviously when the birds are not out for a while, like in the evening. My thinking is that with an established worm population, they would eat down the chicken poop and keep things cleaner, and also give the chicken a good treat when they find them. Is this something anyone has tried? Or would this probably end up being a waste of worms, so to speak?

Thanks y’all

 

[Hobbits Mommie]

I believe I read recently that earth worms can actually introduce a parasite to chickens. Let me see if I can find it.

 

[Hobbits Mommie]

Ok, this is what I found. Something about the consumption of earth worms can give chickens "Gape Worms" and these are the symptoms. "They are yawning with their head all the way vertical or gasping for air. The gapes are in their throat. Tails are down and less interested in treats".

 

[Chickassan]

Earthworms can transmit roundworms simply because they're full of dirt. But they're chickens, dirt will be eaten reguardless. I wouldn't worry, it is a losing battle the earthworms are always going to be out there.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Just great to have the discussion JMHO Nope no plus to doing this will not assist compost breakdown

 

[Chickassan]

True, earthworms don't actually break down anything that you could actually see them doing, they aren't going to eat the poops.
They wait until flies and beetles and bacteria have had their fill and process the leftovers that have pretty much already become one with the soil.
They are great in an already cooking compost bin, but pretty useless on fresh stuff.

Just great to have the discussion JMHO Nope no plus to doing this will not assist compost breakdown

 

[aart]

They are great in an already cooking compost bin, but pretty useless on fresh stuff.

Worms can demolish fresh veggie scraps... Vermiposting...and can't 'take the heat' of a 'cooking compost'.

But, yeah, a waste to put hem into a chicken run...wood chips and some other dry plant material is the best way to cold compost chicken poop....and some worms may show up for an occasional chicken treat anyway.

 

[ZooAtHome]

Speaking strictly about the composting aspect, you would want to use red wigglers, as they are composting worms. They live in the top few inches of the ground and break down organic matter like leaves, plant trimmings, fruits and veggie scraps, etc. When I turn my compost piles, wigglers are what I find. I'm not sure if they will break down chicken poop or not, though. Earthworms, or night crawlers, live deeper in the ground and are better for loosening up soil for roots to grow. They do break down organic matter, but not nearly as efficiently as wigglers do.

As for the chickens, they would probably rarely find night crawlers unless they are out after dark; however, they most likely would find red wigglers and enjoy them.

I am not informed regarding worms as potential parasite vectors. I'll have to do some research on that, but your chickens are going to find worms in the ground whether you toss them in there or not.

 

[kwhite73]

I’m not sure if this has been addressed before, but I’ve been batting around an idea lately. I had the thought about regularly putting earthworms in to the chicken run, obviously when the birds are not out for a while, like in the evening. My thinking is that with an established worm population, they would eat down the chicken poop and keep things cleaner, and also give the chicken a good treat when they find them. Is this something anyone has tried? Or would this probably end up being a waste of worms, so to speak?

Thanks y’all

What did you decide to do, I've been considering it

 

[Krugerrand]

The original poster hasn't been around in 2 1/2 years. You may not get a response.