Should I kill mealworms before I give them to my button quail?

[Modxfirefox]

I just got some mealworms and I was wondering if I should kill them before giving to my quail so it doesn’t evolve into a Blackling beetle because I’m worried they could kill it so if anyone knows anything could the please tell me? thanks!

 

[azygous]

The species of darkling beetle that meal worms turn into after a period of pupation are harmless. They aren't anything like the wild darkling beetles that sometimes carry deadly bacteria.

It's not necessary to execute the meal worms before you feed them. They quickly get dispatched as soon as they enter the meat grinder in the crop of the bird eating them.

 

[Modxfirefox]

The species of darkling beetle that meal worms turn into after a period of pupation are harmless. They aren't anything like the wild darkling beetles that sometimes carry deadly bacteria.

It's not necessary to execute the meal worms before you feed them. They quickly get dispatched as soon as they enter the meat grinder in the crop of the bird eating them.

Thank you so much! Just 2 more questions should I remove the beetles if I see them or can the quail eat it. And also if they are under the bedding will my quail still be able to find them and eat it?

 

[White Wolf Bear]

Thank you so much! Just 2 more questions should I remove the beetles if I see them or can the quail eat it. And also if they are under the bedding will my quail still be able to find them and eat it?

If they stay in there long enough to evolve and hatch into beetles, without being eaten, perhaps reduce the number you feed out, till all are consumed. They can eat them, but due to their small size, the quail may not be interested in eating them. They may or may not scratch enough to find them, under the bedding. Perhaps try a ceramic dish, for them to eat from (harder for the mealworms to escape from, and easier to see how many they have actually consumed

 

[azygous]

If you are talking about the meal worm larvae turning into meal worm darkling beetles, those are harmless, and your quail can eat them safely.

If you are seeing wild darkling beetles in the quail bedding, you really need to do some housekeeping. These wild beetles are larger and longer than meal worm beetles. Chances are the quail will not be interested in eating these beetles as I don't believe they taste very good. At least when I've spotted one in my run, my chickens have ignored it. But these wild beetles do sometimes harbor dangerous bacteria that can make a chicken very sick if they eat one.

If your budget can afford it, I recommend this product to treat your premises as it's super effective but won't harm your birds. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0042L8S7A/?tag=backy-20

It kills darkling beetles if you spray around all the corners, edges, and foundations. This stuff is also very effective if your chickens ever get lice or coop mites or scaly leg mites.

 

[2 many chickens]

Put the mealworms in a dish so they don't escape and grow into beetles. Most animals will not eat them because they taste nasty.

 

[azygous]

Put the mealworms in a dish so they don't escape and grow into beetles. Most animals will not eat them because they taste nasty.

I'm curious. How have you come by this information?

 

[2 many chickens]

I'm curious. How have you come by this information?

Well, my reptiles won't touch them. Not a single one has ever even tried. I have buttons and they pecked at them once or twice but didn't kill or eat them.. just walked off and forgot about it.
I Had a mealworm colony for a while(for my lizards) but decided to quit and offered the adult beetles to my chickens and they turned their nose up too.

Just going by what I've seen and dealt with so they must taste gross or something. None of my creatures would ever touch them.