worms in bird food

[t/m]

Someone gave me a bag of wild bird feed. When I opened it, there were little white worms.
Are these meal worms?
Can I still use it as feed? As a treat?
Can I raise the worms in a meal worm farm?

 

[totallytang]

can you post a pic? mealworms are normally light brown...

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I would feed it, yes.

I do want to mention that if you can, use it up quickly as bugs/worms in feed will use up the nutrients in the feed. So if it is the layer ration, for example, they will be eating poor quality food.

Yours is just a treat, so it shouldn't be a problem. I wouldn't bring it in the house though.

 

[crystal195655]

sounds like maggots to me, I would certainly be careful where you store it, but as far as it being ok to feed to the chickens I really can't see a problem with it

 

[Imp]

Sounds like moth larvae to me. Looks like little white/tan catapillars? webs in the bag? Very common in bird seed. Not really a problem for birds. People will often just feed them to their parrots/caged birds.
If you want to eliminate them freeze the seed, for a few days, it kills the moth, larvae and eggs.
Do not leave it in your house if they get loose they can be heck to get rid of.
They have several names, moth worms, wax worms, weevils etc. I'm not sure what there real name is.

Imp

ETA- Chickens are Sweet is correct a heavy infestation can degrade the nutrition.

 

[t/m]

Thank you everyone for your replies! I will have to inspect the critters and bag a little closer tomorrow when it is light out.

 

[AllenInTampa]

Indian meal moth larvae