Worms as protein supplement

[rehdancer]

Does anyone raise worms (earthworms, not mealworms) to feed their chickens? I'm trying to think of chicken things to do whilst my dear husband is working on the coop. I'm thinking dual purpose here, red wigglers (generic term) for vermicomposting, plus extra feed for the chickens when I have too many.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, hope you are enjoying BYC!

I have raised red wigglers for the chickens before. When I live in the desert, my bird went crazy for them. Here in the PNW, so many options they turn their nose up... plus I just move something sitting on the ground after it rains for a lot less effort on my part. Over all it's a fun adventure. I also raise meal worms. I consider both to be a treat.

The nutritional info I have scrounged up..

The first post on this thread has some listed as dry matter and red wigglers listed as live fed..
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...worms-red-wrigglers-compost-worms-etc.837491/

Earthworms listed as live fed..
http://www.chameleonnews.com/02SepDonoghue_files/droppedImage.jpg

Another discussion about nutrition on worms..
http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?127038-nutritional-value-of-red-wrigglers

As far as I can tell.. live fed... red wigglers are only 10% protein... however, I do believe it's truly dry matter (or rather calories aka energy) that matters and the excess moisture will be excreted... Energy comes form only 3 places... fat, protein, and carbs including fiber. While they will take in a certain amount of liquid they will eat meet their energy (calorie) need.. So I take back my 10% protein value... though I agree that is correct in volume... I'm just gonna leave it for entertainment and learning value!

This is like the whole how much protein % in egg discussion..

Have fun!

 

[Bamas-Chicks]

I feed me chickens wiggle worms everyday as a treat and to boost protien. I swear they lay more since I started this 2 weeks ago

 

[Henriettamom919]

I've never raised them but living North of Seattle I help my girls forage worms a few times a week by turning over garden beds, pots and wood. They lay far more than their breed standard amounts!

I think this would be a very low cost, beneficial treat for your chickens and well worth the effort put into the project!