Hello all!

There is a visual difference between the two. The empty one will look like a papery dry skin of a worm with what looks like a black shriveled tube thing running up and down it's body. The more nutritional kind are yellow inside and generally more solid looking. I'm assuming you got the meal worms from TSC? They carry a brand called "The Honest Worm! Premium Mealworms" which are freeze dried with yummy delicious innards intact. Unfortunately based on price you're getting the empty ones. For good mealworms be prepared to spend ten dollars more than that or less. The Honest Worm! is $17.99 at TSC, so it says online. That's what I was getting but I stopped since they free range anyways.

I suppose you could give them all a small handful to share every other day or less, though other people are different. Chickens can do just fine with no treats for their whole lives. You could also use them to train your chickens and dish them out like that. They love corn on the cob, lol. Mine went crazy for the dried stuff. Hope this is informative.
Thank you that is very helpful I got mine at a similar store I do have a tractor supply within driving distance tho I will have to check it out.
I hope to let mine range as well anyway so if it's not nutritional I might as well save my money, I know I will spend it elsewhere.
Do you think giving them earthworms would be any better?
 
I have a built in brooder in the coop. They experienced a lot of cold temps. I also had a broody raised bunch. They were on the ground at 2 days old. They are one and all alive and thriving.
It took me a second to see this for some reason. But that is good to know, it seems like they are tough little critters and can handle almost anything. Thank you I will be much less worried removing the heat lamp knowing they can handle worse
 
Hello and welcome to BYC! :frow Glad you joined.

I had 4 day old chicks outside in 23F weather and they were totally fine. They darted under their brooder plate when they needed to warm up then out they came again. I guess I broke the law!
Pass on the chicken wire. It's not predator proof. Use 1/2" hardware cloth instead.
The mice can still get through. Try uses a 1/4" hardwire cloth
 
The mice can still get through. Try uses a 1/4" hardwire cloth
Thank you! Unfortunately I recently purchased 2 of the largest rolls of chicken wire I could find is there any way to make that work? Doubled up or maybe just like a run out of chicken wire and make the coop like fort Knox? I know chicken wire has other uses in gardening but I have a LOT of extra if I'm not going to use any haha ugh. Oh well better than learning the hard way. I have every type of predator and pest I can think of unfortunately so it's not something I should take lightly
 
The mice can still get through. Try uses a 1/4" hardwire cloth
Any mouse that decided to try to get into my coop or run would quickly become a tasty treat for the flock. I've never had a problem with rodents. I also don't leave feed out at night.
 
Hi and welcome to BYC :frow We're so happy you've decided to join us :ya

Loved the pics :love I agree with Dobie on the half inch HW Cloth. I also recommend attaching it with screws and fender washers as many predators are well versed at pulling out staples. As for the 10% rule, it is just a rule of thumb but one to stay within. Many feed elements are wonderful, but not good if they get too much. Sticking to the 10% rule will keep you safe from that type of issue. As for corn and scratch, they are fine treats as long as you stay within that 10%. Lots of folks think that corn is just an empty filler and compare it to human digestion. We don't have the same digestive system as your birds who can and do make good use of all the nutrients it has to offer.
 

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