Protein for chickens

[Oreoandhens]

Yes we do give them a variety too but I thought the mealworms would be a good extra source of protein especially around this time of the year

Thank you for the advice! Good to see other options too

 

[centrarchid]

Any kind of insect the chickens will eat I value as protein source. The dried meal worms are pricey and may have poor fatty acid and vitamin profiles that tend to degrade during death, drying and storage. The protein level is high (middle 40's % crude protein) and the amino acid profile should be good since of animal origin. If availability and price where not an issue then I would have so the stuff represents about a 1/3 of the diet on a dry matter basis so long as good sources of vitamins and fatty acids are also provided.

 

[llwehr]

I was just ready to post this same question. Thank you for posting. My chickens LOVE mealworms. On a daily basis, we feed just one or two handfuls to our flock of 8. It's fun to watch them come running for their treats. My kids also enjoy hand-feeding them the mealworms. I tried FlyGrubs from Amazon (dried Black Soldier Fly larvae), but unfortunately my birds were not interested.

I'm looking forward to seeing more responses to your question. I usually buy our dried mealworms from Big R or Tractor Supply, but perhaps there is a better (cheaper) option that is still healthy and safe for the birds.

 

[centrarchid]

I was just ready to post this same question. Thank you for posting. My chickens LOVE mealworms. On a daily basis, we feed just one or two handfuls to our flock of 8. It's fun to watch them come running for their treats. My kids also enjoy hand-feeding them the mealworms. I tried FlyGrubs from Amazon (dried Black Soldier Fly larvae), but unfortunately my birds were not interested.

I'm looking forward to seeing more responses to your question. I usually buy our dried mealworms from Big R or Tractor Supply, but perhaps there is a better (cheaper) option that is still healthy and safe for the birds.

With repeated exposure you will likely get your chickens to eat the dried Black Soldier Fly larvae as well.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I'm with NatJ on this - its just not price effective for my situation. So my birds get "free protein" while they free range 2+ acres of mixed grasses, grains, forbs, and herbage. i **DID** try to build a Black Soldier Fly composter, and keep it "fed", but it was simply too hot through most of the year - while BSF like temps much higher than earthworms, it was too hot even for them.

Now that the weather is cooler, and the composter has been moved, I'm going to try again - but that doesn't help answer questions in the here and now.

 

[centrarchid]

I'm with NatJ on this - its just not price effective for my situation. So my birds get "free protein" while they free range 2+ acres of mixed grasses, grains, forbs, and herbage. i **DID** try to build a Black Soldier Fly composter, and keep it "fed", but it was simply too hot through most of the year - while BSF like temps much higher than earthworms, it was too hot even for them.

Now that the weather is cooler, and the composter has been moved, I'm going to try again - but that doesn't help answer questions in the here and now.

Many people are not in this for profit, the overwhelming majority. You can provide nutrition that is outright superior to the complete diet formulations, even if the cost is a lot higher. As a person I can get by without crab and lobster because I can get similar nutrition from hamburger, pork and chicken for a lot less money. For me the crab and lobster are more fun. In a similar vein, let the backyard poultry folks have their fun allowing the chickens to reap the benefits by having a more diversified diet.

This is a pets with benefits for more backyard people.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

My post was not intended to slight anyone's situation @centrarchid , merely to provide an alternative viewpoint from a differing situation, to illustrate that there are multiple sources of bonus protein available for our flocks, and not every solution is appropriate for every person. I regret if my post suggested otherwise.

 

[centrarchid]

My post was not intended to slight anyone's situation @centrarchid , merely to provide an alternative viewpoint from a differing situation, to illustrate that there are multiple sources of bonus protein available for our flocks, and not every solution is appropriate for every person. I regret if my post suggested otherwise.

Your view point is not alternative, it is mainstream and intolerant of differences. OP is the one exploring alternative approach.

 

[chickmamato7]

I feed my chicks dried meal worms as a daily treat and they love (go crazy for) it! Scrambled eggs is another favorite treat, reserved for cold nights before lock-up. I also feed them scratch as a daily treat. My birds look very healthy, but sometimes I worry that I am treating them too much. Is it wrong to give them treats 3X a day (morning, noon and night)? I typically throw a few handfuls of scratch mixed with meal worms around their dirt floor to provide something to forage for, since free range is not an option in my hawk infested yard. I have 7 birds that are 10 weeks old.