Mealworms!

[pdirt]

I have tons of powdered milk left over from camping and I want to get rid of it all

If you make yogurt or kefir, you could use some of it in that. I don't know for sure, but I'd guess 50/50 fresh milk with reconstituted milk. Then mix some of the yogurt/kefir with feed and feed to your flock. Fermenting milk breaks down most of the lactose as chickens can't digest lactose.

Meal worms eat grain products not dairy products.

I've heard of folks (there is a poor website out there suggesting it) who have fed powdered milk to mealworms. Most people regretted it...I can't recall exactly but it wasn't good. My take on it is it is perhaps a technique used by expert worm breeders. Be careful with what you put in your mealworm bin, it can be hard to get it out if it doesn't turn out right. I only use wheat bran and carrots.

 

[enola]

I suspect it turned out bad because meal worms would starve to death if forced to eat a diet of powdered milk.

 

[collingwood]

Alright lucky I asked! Do I really need to ferment milk before I feed it to my chickens?

 

[pdirt]

Alright lucky I asked! Do I really need to ferment milk before I feed it to my chickens?

Chickens can't well digest regular milk. Feeding it to them will make them sick. It won't kill them, but they won't feel so great. If they had a sip or two, no harm done, but it sounds like you have a lot of it. Fermenting it transforms it into something not only digestible, but desirable, namely probiotics. I'd recommend getting one of the powdered kefir starters from a health food store if you don't have a friend to give you some kefir grains. Google for how to make milk kefir and you'll get an eyeful.

Do you have a dog or cat? They could digest it.

On the other hand, iirc, powdered milk has a long shelf life, years I think. If you keep it sealed tight from air and stored in a cool, dark, dry place, it should be good for next year's camping trips!

 

[collingwood]

My ducks have already had heaps will they be alright?

 

[pdirt]

I don't know anything about ducks. But I imagine their digestive tracts are similar to chickens. They will probably be fine. Ever known anyone who is lactose intolerant? Bloating, gas and/or diarrhea, that sort of thing.

 

[collingwood]

Thanks! They seem fine! All of them are broody and the eggs have started to hatch!

 

[Frazars Farm]

Give them a bed of oats. Add a slice of apple/potato/carrot/etc. or two, keep them dark. Check back once a week or so unless grabbing some for food.

What ever you use, watch out for pesticides! They are used on food we eat, and are designed to kill bugs.
We recommend organic everything, unless you grow it yourself, or unless you can be sure there are no pesticides left over on the food / wheat / oats.

 

[collingwood]

Thanks I'll look out for them!

 

[Jessica1991]

I've saved tons and tons of money by breeding my own mealworms. If you do a little research you can really find out what they love and they grow like crazy. One of the best things I did was figure out how to breed them in large numbers to give to my different pets and animals.


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