Raising feeder insects

[Kassaundra]

This is what it's all about, Babies first taste

mealies






dubias

 

[Anneke]

Maybe a stupit question, but how do you keep mealworms?
Do you keep them in an aquarium of sorts? I have really no idea.
We collected grasshoppers this summer (lots around), they loved them too.
Are there insects you better not give to chickens?

 

[Kassaundra]

Maybe a stupit question, but how do you keep mealworms?
Do you keep them in an aquarium of sorts? I have really no idea.
We collected grasshoppers this summer (lots around), they loved them too.
Are there insects you better not give to chickens?

You can raise them either in an aquarium or in a plastic tote of just about any size from shoe box up the the huge ones at Wally world or dollar store.

I know of no bug they can't eat. The earthworm is said to possibly give chickens gapeworm.


Both dubia's and mealworms are very easy to raise for healthy treats for your chickens, or reptiles.

Here is a whole thread on mealies https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/492636/mealworm-farming

 

[Anneke]

Thanks so much Kassaundra! I will look in to it. It doesn't sounds that difficult.

 

[Kassaundra]

Thanks so much Kassaundra! I will look in to it. It doesn't sounds that difficult.

Both are very easy to raise, but some people are weirded out by the dubias.

 

[Kassaundra]

Hot off the presses the latest video of the new chicks enjoying both dubias and mealies.

http://youtu.be/7Lo4HVU2jQQ


100%

 

[Anneke]

I have to laugh, their so cute. I see they love the worms. I talked about it with my husband and we're going to see where to order them from. I'm sure we can't order them from the States. But I'm sure I will find someone here in CA.

 

[Kassaundra]

Awesome, they are so easy and the chickens love them so much, you will be the chickens best friend forever! lol

 

[psymbiosis]

I am considering raising mealworms and dubias for my chickens. I have a couple of questions first if you guys don't mind. My reason for doing this is to become more self sufficient and try to reduce to amount of commercial feed we use. The price is skyrocketing and likely only to get worse. Is it possible to raise enough of these to eliminate say 90% of layer pellets? My flock free ranges and I am also going to be growing wheat fodder in trays for both the chickens and the cows over the winter. I realize it will take a few months to really get going...I was planning on using plastic totes like the kind they deliver to convenience stores in with hinged fold back lids. I have an abundance of these and would prefer to use something I already have rather than buy something. They are about 15 inches across, 30 inches long and varying depths 18 inches to 30 inches or so. About how many of these would I need for mealworms and dubias to support a flock of about 40 birds? For the dubias, what else can I use besides egg trays? For the meal worms will wheat shorts (like bran kind of) work for bedding/food source? Ok that is probably already an overload of questions for one post.Ohh, and I need to start with the fewest possible of each due to $$$ constraints...what is the minimum you would start with (I was going to order from the roach man or roach guy (whatever it is, LOL) site...

Thanks!

 

[Kassaundra]

I am considering raising mealworms and dubias for my chickens. I have a couple of questions first if you guys don't mind. My reason for doing this is to become more self sufficient and try to reduce to amount of commercial feed we use. The price is skyrocketing and likely only to get worse. Is it possible to raise enough of these to eliminate say 90% of layer pellets? That depends on a lot of variables. How much range do they have and how good of a range for how long during the year? My flock free ranges and I am also going to be growing wheat fodder in trays for both the chickens and the cows over the winter. I realize it will take a few months to really get going...You mentioned needing to start w/ smaller numbers of insects, if you are starting small it will take more then "a few months" to be able to feed out as primary protien for 40 birds. I started small w/ the dubias and it took nearly 6 months to be able to feed any out at all, my colony is over 1 year and still not able to provide total protien for my smaller then 40 flock. I was planning on using plastic totes like the kind they deliver to convenience stores in with hinged fold back lids. Plastic totes will work w/ a couple of considerations, the sides must be smooth and straight not slanted so they cannot climb out, you need ventilation and more then a couple of air holes you will need small metal screening. W/o enough ventilation you will get amonia build up and moisture which will lead to fatal mold problems. You also need to be able to keep out other preditory insects, lizards, rodents etc..... I have an abundance of these and would prefer to use something I already have rather than buy something. They are about 15 inches across, 30 inches long and varying depths 18 inches to 30 inches or so. About how many of these would I need for mealworms and dubias to support a flock of about 40 birds? LOTS For the dubias, what else can I use besides egg trays? I have found for larger colonies the egg crates are not good to use at all. I have switched to metal armarture w/ strips of heavy fabric woven in, I will post some new pics of my new set up this comming week. For the meal worms will wheat shorts (like bran kind of) work for bedding/food source? Not sure what wheat shorts are. Ok that is probably already an overload of questions for one post.Ohh, and I need to start with the fewest possible of each due to $$$ constraints...what is the minimum you would start with (I was going to order from the roach man or roach guy (whatever it is, LOL) site...Get what you can comfortably afford and time will take care of the rest.

Thanks!

Something you may not have considered yet is if you are planning on the insects being primary protien source for 40+ chickens is where are you going to grow out that many insects????? These require specific temps and unless you live somewhere very warm in the winter that means supplemental heat meaning $$$$ and indoor spaces ...................... with that many insects the indoor spaces are going to smell, you are going to need food for the insects have you considered where and how and what you will feed them?? I'm sure there is more I'm leaving out but that is what comes to mind right now. I have been raising insects for my chickens for over a year now and do not ever think I will make it to primary protien source.


I just went back and looked at my first posting in this thread and it looks like I've been raising them close to 2 years now.