When should I add redworms to their diet?

[classicsredone]

I have a stacked worm bin that is chock-full of red worms. What age would it be okay to start feeding the girls some of the baby worms?

 

[Davaroo]

Why would you? Just because you have them?

Not 'til after they have gotten outside and are in the dirt.

 

[classicsredone]

Well, yeah, I have them. They're free and a good source of protein.

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
Can you control the introduction of parasites and other "wormy" issues, which might result?
For more years than we can count, worms were NOT recommended as feed for chicks. In fact, their diet was very closely controlled - all this "adding to it" was unheard of.

Where did you get the idea they should be eating them?

 

[classicsredone]

I've read a lot, and the concern with parasites seems to be with earthworms, not red worms or "red wigglers".

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
Well, do what you wish. But I wouldn't mess with it. Give them good feed and fresh water and they'll be fine. If you want to add a little extra, chop some boiled egg and feed that.
Seriously, worms aren't really needed.

 

[chickbird]

Quote:
earth worms have round and other worms and eating them will give them to your chickens.

 

[classicsredone]

I understand that earthworms can carry parasites, but these are a different species. (Einsenia Fetida) I can't find any scientific data on redworms carrying parasites. The only data I can find is on night crawlers or earth worms, which are actually Lumbricus terrestris. They live in different environments and eat different foods, which would explain the difference in parasite risk.

 

[dwdoc]

OK, I have read both sides here and I have a question:

I have watched my birds dig around the yard and pull up worms, grubs, and other misc insects from the yard.

How do you control what they eat when they free range?

Do I lock my birds up so they do no run the risk of eating an earthworm?

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
The question here is do you start them on the earth? Hen brooded chicks out in the yard "free ranging," are inured to the earth. In nature, the hen takes care of them and she is VERY careful about what they eat in the beginning. Some might say she is "selective." Even then, they can die - you just may not know about it.

Before we had so many experts to tell us what to do, this was understood. Chicks were fed milled oats, chopped hard boiled egg and a bit of green grass or other green feed in the beginning. After a few weeks, they began to build feathers and grains were introduced. But stuff like worms and other crawlies weren't introduced immediately.
They got that stuff once they got outside - but they were grown by then.

If past experience here at BYC is anything to go on, each person will do what they want once they've made up their minds. That is normal and encouraged - its one way we learn.
This all points to the fact that you can do what you want; they are your chicks. Odds are also good that little will come of it. You'll say that "davaroo" guy is a crackpot and you'll go on with life.

But its worth remembering that as chicks in a brooder, they are dependent on you to provide for their needs.
Why you wanna take a chance on that by tossing a bunch of random stuff down their gullet?