Quote: I think the temperature and humidity swings gets the weaker guys. It is really painful to cull, I wait until there is no doubt in my mind they aren't thriving.
I must say that I'm rather impressed with that cucumber lettering.
After years of reptiles, I don't have issue with serving the chickens bugs. However, I do have a question...
Did anyone have to "teach" their chickens to eat bugs?
While working in the garden beds, I grabbed a few worms, slugs etc. I thought they'd be gobbled down in seconds, but instead, the hens just looked at them & walked away. Only one hen made an attempt but it slipped out of her beak, so she gave up. Do I have defective birds?
It seems to me like there was a time when my girls would gobble up worms like nobody's business. Then at some point within the past few years, it's like they all decided they didn't like worms anymore. It was strange. Now, even if my mom or sister brings them worms from the garden or underneath the stepping stones (because like heck am I carrying worms--again, not a bug person ), the hens may peck at them a little, but they rarely actually eat them. I don't know if our girls are defective, Faraday, or if they're just picky!
I did reptiles, snakes so bugs are "food" and have grown used to messing with them. I just can't do the dubia roaches tho ewww!
Some just never take to worms. Most of my guys are used to them in their diet. I notice the younger birds are a lot more interested than the older ones. I have a low area of the yard grass won't grow, and have a sheet of old carpet lying over it. I turn this every day, and its a worm heaven! I turn it over right before I let my flocks out. The muscovy fly over there to beat the chickens to it LOL. I also give them a few cups of mealworms, I keep a few totes going year around. Summer its more weekly, winter its a daily thing. Anyone interested in mealies, I recommend a mask/gloves working with them. They can irritate and cause allergies to flare quickly.
Love it!! I have a birthday party for my flock every year, usually on the youngests' birthday, although I might go for my EE Cubby's birthday next year since she'll be turning 10! I see apples and raisins, what else is in your big guy's cake? 
Mine have been a hollowed down watermelon filled with diced tomatoes, bell peppers, corn, cucumbers, and apples, with yogurt 'frosting' and cucumber letters. This year I also made mini cakes so the lower-ranking girls could have a taste. 
I've never tried mealworms with them, either. To be terribly honest, I'm totally disgusted by the thought of touching those things. 
Not a bug person. I go with the hopes as well that they get plenty of bugs on their own. 
