Mealworms As Replacement Protien Source~Help!!

[Arye210]

What stage of meal worm farming do you actually feed your chickens?

The larval stage--the worm itself----always been scared to feed them the beetles but definitely would if it does them any good. Figured they're hard to digest ?
And if 2-3 worms is all they can have I've definitely been overdoing it??? I throw out a handful to the 9 of them as a treat every few days...somewhat buried in a pile of straw to keep them busy.:/

 

[Arye210]

Maybe 2-3 mealworms is enough protein as a snack, but if it were the only source of protein (as what the OP is suggesting to do), I highly doubt a few worms would be enough.

My thoughts exactly...though I will admit I've probably been overdoing them as a snack !
I don't want to be paying for a grain protein source when there's a free one growing in my closet...

 

[ShanandGem]

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/p...ltry/nutritional_requirements_of_poultry.html