Earthworms, Mealworms, Black Soldier Fly Larvae, Crickets...

[ellie32526]

Can anyone tell me how many and how often i can feed chicks crickets? just throw a bunch in the brooder box? we already get crickets for my sons gecko and now i might have to concider buying in bulk. Sounds like a lot of fun watching the chicks scramble after them.

I'm not sure there is a number. I consider that if they were with a momma hen she would be hunting bugs and other stuff for them all day and they would be eating as many as she/they could find. I have 15-2 month old chicks. I turn my porch light on at night so I can harvest 20-30 bugs to feed to my chicks. I also give them a handful of mealworms each day. They love them. I also give my chicks grass clippings, grains, and plenty of chicken feed. I get teased a lot for it but, I make mine warm oatmeal on cold mornings. That is a great treat. I would just caution that you don't want them to have a diet of just bugs. They still need a balanced diet. The commercial feed supplies all the nutritional needs. But you're right it is very entertaining watching them scramble to get the bugs, worms, and whatever else I bring them. They run to meet me at the gate when they see me head to the chicken house. It is so cute.

 

[newpioneer75]

I would hate to throw in too many and make them sick or have crickets chirping in the brooder for days till they got them all. I'll give a dozen now and then. once they freerange they can clean up the yard of all the bugs they want.

 

[cstronks]

Is there anything wrong with raising traditional red worms?? I have been looking into creating a worm tower and wanted to raise red worms for my chickens as treats. Mealworms seem to be the most popular though.

 

[ellie32526]

Is there anything wrong with raising traditional red worms?? I have been looking into creating a worm tower and wanted to raise red worms for my chickens as treats. Mealworms seem to be the most popular though.

I'm sure they would eat those as well. I try to think about what the mother hen would find for her chicks. I have given a few worms to my chicks, especially after it rains and they are easier to find. I tried to raise red worms but I killed all mine, so mealworms are easier for me. I would say, Go for it.

 

[Demosthine]

Is there anything wrong with raising traditional red worms?? I have been looking into creating a worm tower and wanted to raise red worms for my chickens as treats. Mealworms seem to be the most popular though.

From my understanding, it is more difficult to raise red worms, as opposed to mealworms. For the mealworms, you only have to have a container with a large amount of wheat bran in it and you have to add a water source periodically like potato or apple halves. The red worms require a legitimate composter, adding food scraps and other organic material to them. Although it doesn't seem terribly difficult, I think it does require more work and ensuring there is more of a balance to the colony.

I don't recall the specific amounts, but I believe the mealworm had the lowest level of protein, followed by the red worms. I believe the black soldier fly larvae had the highest amounts, but don't quote me on that. I'm sure someone can provide the actual link to the article that provided references for the protein and fat levels of each. I can't find it right now, but I'll keep searching.

Remember, though, as you mentioned, these should all be considered "treats" and not the main staple in their diet. Given in moderation, the different protein and fat content shouldn't matter. It becomes crucial if you are trying to use it as a primary protein source in a custom diet.

 

[bbsnooks]

Can anyone tell me how many and how often i can feed chicks crickets? just throw a bunch in the brooder box? we already get crickets for my sons gecko and now i might have to concider buying in bulk. Sounds like a lot of fun watching the chicks scramble after them.

I hope some one will answer this.. guess it depends on the age of chicks. be sure there is grit..
It's loads of fun.. keep away.. and running to find a hidding spot to eat in peace.. Ha!
I have 5 breeds.. and some are faster than others.. that's interesting to learn about them too..
mine are 2 wks. old.. they are having some stool issues.. but i forgot to put the ACV in the water.
well see if it tightens up in a day or 2

 

[bowen012]

Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches are easy. As simple as a tupperware container with some holes drilled in the top. Put in a whole apple every week or so and they'll eat everything, including the core. Dried leaves make great bedding, and they'll eat it as well. You can also use wood shavings (I use aspen for everything), newspapers, shredded paper, or nothing at all. A couple of sticks, or paper towel/toilet paper rolls, or egg cartons for them to crawl on and hide under is good, but again, they'll be perfectly fine without anything.

They can crawl on walls, but a tupperware lid stops escapes; they can't live very long if they escape however, so infestations aren't a likely scenario. If you raise them in an aquarium or such, you can smear a thin layer of vaseline about one or two inches wide around the top of the container and they can't bypass that. I raise crickets, hissing roaches, and recently mealworms and by far; the cockroaches give me the best return as they are prolific breeders that require virtually zero care other than dropping in an apple once a week or so. They're durable as well and if you need to go on vacation for a few weeks and can't feed them.... No big deal, they'll still be waiting on you when you get back.

Sizing options with roaches as well. Small chickens (or other birds, lizards, whatever)? Feed them juvenile roaches. Large chickens (or other predatory pets?) Feed them an adult, about 3" of protein packed insect, in a single feeding. They don't bite or scratch, so they can be handled by anyone - I got my first one for my insect crazy son, who was 3 at the time. For educational purposes we later went back to get a pair of females to go along with his males, so that he could see anatomical differences and such, as well as experience life cycles and such. I was as squeamish as anyone back then, now I'm a fan of them and plan on adding more varieties of them (as pets) soon - there's even a bioluminescent variety.

Other benefits is the ease in which they can be loaded with whatever nutrient you need. Because they'll eat anything. Need calcium? Feed them chicken layer feed. Need protein? Feed them cat food. Mix it up for a perfect blend, or keep separate containers for calcium loaded, protein loaded, etc.

For ease of keeping, safe handling, and reproduction return; I don't know that there's a better option.

Edit: Nutritional chart included below


They are an important source of food for other animals. Insects have 3 times more protein than chicken
or beef, weight for weight. - Rosamond Gifford Zoo

SAMPLE MOIST. PROTEIN FAT FIBER ASH

Madagascar
Hissing 64.09% 26.7% 5.05% 5.62% 1.37%
Cockroach

Meal worms 58.74% 21.0% 15.52% 2.01% 1.18%

Crickets 71.96% 18.5% 6.26% 2.09% 1.29%

 

[fowlsessed]

Thanks for the info on the MHC! I'm going to have to try them...How's the breeding cycle? Do they live very long, or are more like crickets?

 

[fowlsessed]

Wow, up to 5 year lifespan, and live birth...sounds good!

 

[bowen012]

They live a while and give birth about every 60 days. That sounds long but once you get a few breeders you get a ton of roaches. When full adult they're 3" or so. I cast my adults that die from age in resin and sell as paperweights for added $. Novelty and all...