stag beetle

[CoconutCoffee]

Just caught this after chasing chicks playing keep away with it. Didnt recognize it so wanted to make sure it wasn't toxic. After googling around it looks like a stag beetle larvae. I couldn't find anything that specified that its okay or toxic. Im sure others have seen these, do you let the chooks eat them or not?

 

[xiao]

Just caught this after chasing chicks playing keep away with it. Didnt recognize it so wanted to make sure it wasn't toxic. After googling around it looks like a stag beetle larvae. I couldn't find anything that specified that its okay or toxic. Im sure others have seen these, do you let the chooks eat them or not?
View attachment 2886828

It looks like a grub worm. Safe to eat https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/grub-worms-for-chickens.835104/ https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/grubs-eew-chicken-safe.443670/

 

[xiao]

Depending on how old your chickens are you should make sure they dont choke. It looks pretty large

 

[CoconutCoffee]

The youngest ones were about 9 weeks. I'm sure they had chances to eat it as one was under the coop alone with it and an older one had it for a little while. I dont think they know yet what to do with crawling insects. I've thrown earthworms in and they just stare in confusion but will chase anything flying.