How to raise meanworms as chicken treats?

[CrazyCatCulby]

Hello! I like to feed my hens the dried mealworm treats, but they eat them so quickly, I was wondering if I could raise mealworms to feed them. I need to know where to get them, what to feed them, and when to give them to my chickens. If anyone can help, that would be great!

Thanks--CrazyCatCulby

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It's a good idea, fairly easy and here's an entire thread to the subject.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/492636/mealworm-farming

 

[damselfish]

Check your thread title (but please don't change it, it's great!)

I can totally see those "mean" worms terrorizing my chickens.

Thanks for a much needed laugh and please don't be offended!

 

[Rebecky54]

I've thought about this as the dried worms are so expensive BUT I am afraid the bugs would get out and get into my cereal and flour. Does this happen? Do I need to be concerned?

If not, I'm going to start some right away.

Becky in NoDa

 

[CrazyCatCulby]

LOL!!! I did put MEANworms in the title!!! LOL!!!!!!

 

[tweetysvoice]

Read through all the last posts. Anyone know if you can start up just by using the mealworms that they sell at the pet store, or do they have to be ordered from a farm? I mean, the pet stores don't sell sterile ones or anything like that, right?

 

[RedRoosterFarm]

I have mealworms and they are easy to raise. Do your self a favor and buy 1000 on ebay. They are like under 20.00 shipped and will multiply fast. Throw some oats or bran in a fish tank and the worms. A carrot and apple slice or celery now and then. Feed stores are real pricy. for like 25 worms its 3-5 bucks.

Read through all the last posts. Anyone know if you can start up just by using the mealworms that they sell at the pet store, or do they have to be ordered from a farm? I mean, the pet stores don't sell sterile ones or anything like that, right?

 

[tweetysvoice]

Thanks for answering so quick. We have a local pet store here (not a big box store) that must raise their own, because I can get 100 for about 3 bucks. I've gotten them many times over the years for various lizards and frogs. I want to get started as quickly as possible and dont want to wait for shipping. LOL I've just never raised them and from reading these threads about how much the chickens love them - once I get mine, it's gonna be hard to deny them such a yummy treat!

 

[RedRoosterFarm]

I would get a load like 1000 and let them sit for a month and start to grow. Good luck oh and if you are raising show birds then dont get to crazy on feeding a load to the birds because they are real high in proteen(sp) and will make combs grow big if fed to many.

Quote:

Thanks for answering so quick. We have a local pet store here (not a big box store) that must raise their own, because I can get 100 for about 3 bucks. I've gotten them many times over the years for various lizards and frogs. I want to get started as quickly as possible and dont want to wait for shipping. LOL I've just never raised them and from reading these threads about how much the chickens love them - once I get mine, it's gonna be hard to deny them such a yummy treat!

 

[so lucky]

In October, someone gave me about 100 mealworms. I put them in a plastic tote, about 10X18X6" high. Used chicken feed, oats and rye flour for their bedding, about an inch thick. The beetles can't climb up the slick plastic sides. I now have thousands of little meal worms. Easy peasy.