Meat bird ration / mealworms

[bbdal]

We are considering meat birds this fall. I mix my own feed for our layers, but it seems difficult to get high enough protein by altering my current ration. We don't use corn or soy due to gmo, etc. but to get 20+ protein, the flax, lentil sprouts, wheat, and fish meal would be above suggested limits. Also, I have heard not to use flax until 2-3 wks old. Not sure about that.

I am considering meal worms for extra protein. Does anyone know how long it would take for 1000 or so (or however they come) worms to reproduce into enough to supplement 50 or so birds? Do I have enough time to get worms going if we want meat birds in 2-3 months?

Thanks!

 

[1brandy tim2]

i bought 1000 mealworms to start a farm mid april. I Have had beetles for a while but have yet to produce mealworms big enough to see. When you first get the meal worms you have to wait for them to pupate.. they stay that way for about a week or so. Then they turn to beetles and I have read they start producing in another couple of weeks. The eggs are so tiny and it takes a couple months to have worms big enough to really be able to see easy. Its definitely something worth doing.. the chickens love them..but it does take a lot of time to get started. the worm stage last anywhere from 12-18 weeks so it takes a good while to have fully grown worms. There is a whole thread here about mealworm farming you should check out.