How to create bug farm for chickens

[tanithcrane]

Hey everyone hope your all ok
I was cleaning my chickens out and have a log pile in there run for them , I lifted it up and there was loads of spiders and woodlice , they loved it and had a feast but in our garden there's no grass and it will be a while before the log pile starts growing again is there anyway I can farm a tank of different insects or something just to give my girls abit more choice instead of just plain boring chicken feed
Many thanks for the help
Tanith

 

[Pyxis]

Yep, lots of options! You could do crickets, but they're loud and smelly so I personally wouldn't want to do those. Mealworms are a common choice, as they are easy to care for and quiet. I do dubia roaches myself, because I am already breeding them for my reptiles, and the chickens love those.

Here's how to do mealworms, and here's how I do dubia.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Soldier Fly larvae.

 

[lazy gardener]

Easiest: turn your run into a deep litter. That will attract the beneficial insects.

 

[centrarchid]

Insect cultures are sort of fun but other options are out there. Consider compost heaps. Multiple compost heaps where depth is not more than 24". Chickens will work the top and sides for eats. If too deep, then you get less area the birds can actually scratch through relative to the volume.

 

[barred2rock]

Yep, lots of options! You could do crickets, but they're loud and smelly so I personally wouldn't want to do those. Mealworms are a common choice, as they are easy to care for and quiet. I do dubia roaches myself, because I am already breeding them for my reptiles, and the chickens love those.

Here's how to do mealworms, and here's how I do dubia.

Superworms are also a good option you don't hear about too often. Supposed to be more nutritious than mealworms.