maggots in the scratch

[nuchickontheblock]

I went to get some scratch out of our covered bucket today and there were maggots crawling all over the inside of the lid. I washed them off, but then wondered if they would be ok for the chickens to eat. They totally love meal worms and whatever other insects they can get. Any reason not to give them to the girls? It is a brand new large container of scratch, so don't want to throw it away.

 

[Pet Duck Boy]

Toss 'em to them! I typically get moth larvae in scatch (Which is probably what you're seeing) and my girls relish them.

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

chickens LOVE maggots

 

[lacasitarojafarm]

Lucky you! TREATS!

 

[Ariel301]

Now you have higher protein scratch.

I actually saw instructions the other day for building a maggot-breeding apparatus for feeding chickens. Neat way to get free protein, but yuck!

 

[nuchickontheblock]

Thanks for the encouragement! I guess depending on who you are, food is either yuck or YUMMMMMM!!!

 

[Sjisty]

If they are moth larvae, I would say go for it, but I'm not sure I would use the scratch if it is maggots. Flys lay their eggs in rotting, moldy, damp, or spoiled areas, not in good dry scratch. I would toss the scratch or take it back to the store if it's new. The flock would love the maggots, though!