Free High Protein Snacks - 24/7

[wegotchickens]

DH already thinks the run stinks, and we only have 4 adult hens and the pen gets raked regularly. I'll suggest this at dinner tonight just to watch the expressions on everyone's faces

 

[mommy9994]

why, oh why did I read this? Man, it sounds like a good idea--- ewww, I don't wanna LOL Can you do it just with veggie and fruit scraps, not with dead things? (I really don't know what the flys are attracted to)

 

[greyfields]

Gosh I wish I could remember what magazine I saw the photos in. He hung the buckets from a tri-pod of poles (like you would use for runner beans). The holes were drilled on the sides of the buckets, but in about the lowest 4-6". He had a specific size recommended, too, which I can't recall.

He packed the buckets with the roadkill and then I believe he was using bay leaves or some other aromatic herb to cut down on the smell. To the chickens it was like protein out of thin air.

 

[JanetinTenn]

Blue90292,

I use an old 5 gallon plastic bucket that I bought full of paint at Home Depot. I keep the lid on it, or it would stink and the dogs would mess with it. I drilled 3 or 4 pencil sized holes in the top for the flys to go in. I drilled several holes in the sides of the bucket about 3 or 4 inches from the top. The larva climb the walls of the bucket, then out the holes.

You dont have to put anything gross in the bucket. Anything will do. When I clean out the fridge, the week old pinto beans go into the bucket, and that left over stuff in the back that I'm not sure what it is, whatever it is, it goes into the bucket. When I peel potatoes, cucumbers, or apples, I dump the peelings in the bucket. Baby chick dies, he goes into the bucket.

It really doesn't stink much, but it probably would if you put it in an enclosure.

I too read the article about the road kill, maybe thats where I got the idea.

 

[Davaroo]

Farming maggots is a bit much for me. Maybe later....

 

[mlheran]

LOL, this reminds me of a neighbor my grandma told me about. The lady used to give my grandma all the eggs her chickens laid. When my grandma asked why the lady didn't eat the eggs herself, she replied, "because the chickens eat bugs!"

I, for one, think this is a great idea. It already kind of happens when I don't take my compost bucket out to the pile often enough -all the girls crowd on the porch around the bucket to snatch the tiny flies out of the air. Of course, they've torn up my compost pile too in their quest for the tasty crawly things, but it does make for some loose rich soil!

 

[Jennyhaschicks]

Mine haven't found my compost pile yet. They are young.

I think this sounds like a good idea really. To each his own.

 

[justusnak]

Interesting subject....Hmmmm. MY only problem would be...what can I put in a bucket!?? I mean...any leftovers...go to the pigs, and chickens. My compost is a tumbler...so no chickens in there...and anything from the garden we wont eat, goes either to the chickens,pigs, or compost. I DID see a coyote hit on the road today...oh no, waite...there is NO WAY I am going to go shovel THAT thing up! My neighbors already think I am crazy! LOL Oh well...no maggies for my girls!

 

[goatranch]

I think you may be talking about Black Soldier Flies. The larval stages are called "biogrubs" or " pheonix worms". I have had redworms for almost a year, and I would now like to add "biogrubs". There is alot of benefit to having these guys hang around. It helps decrease your feed bill, and it is healthier for them. The "pheonix worms" are sold for reptile food. I am trying to encourage black soldier flies to my compost heap, but it is still too cold in Nebraska. I am trying to find a way to winter them here, so I don't have to wait so long next year. I have done alot of reading on these guys, and I have never been excited about

"maggots", until now! I hope my chicks love them as much as they do the redworms. If you are not grossed out by worms and bugs, vermicomposting is a very productive and enjoyable hobby. Your chicks will thank you!

 

[TimG]

You can read more about raising maggots for chickens here. The site has a link to the Black Soldier Fly Blog which may also be of interest.