So a few weeks ago I read a thread (started by niftychick, I think) about finding a writhing mass of maggots in their compost heap, and subsequently letting their chickens feast on the things.
I checked my compost and also discovered a writhing mass!!! Since I am not comfortable yet in letting my chicks have free range of the back yard, I have begun scooping up the maggots into a bucket and delivering them to the run. They LOVE it. (And they are extremely healthy and growing like crazy!)
I was curious to know more about the maggots - what they were, how they got into my compost, etc. - and googled the topic. Disgusting information about fly larvae and the spread of disease left me feeling like I was not only providing an excellent nutritional boost for my chickens, but also contributing to the overall health of my community.
Anyhoo --- an interesting link came up in my google search, and I have a really strong suspicion that most of you are going to laugh as hard as I did:
http://www.maggotart.com/
I checked my compost and also discovered a writhing mass!!! Since I am not comfortable yet in letting my chicks have free range of the back yard, I have begun scooping up the maggots into a bucket and delivering them to the run. They LOVE it. (And they are extremely healthy and growing like crazy!)
I was curious to know more about the maggots - what they were, how they got into my compost, etc. - and googled the topic. Disgusting information about fly larvae and the spread of disease left me feeling like I was not only providing an excellent nutritional boost for my chickens, but also contributing to the overall health of my community.
Anyhoo --- an interesting link came up in my google search, and I have a really strong suspicion that most of you are going to laugh as hard as I did:
http://www.maggotart.com/