[Kazoo]

Hi

Just wanted to check if it is ok to give dried meal worms to the chickens?  I buy these for the garden birds and the chickens go mad for them, searched the posts but can't see anything on meal worm.  Before I give them anymore just want to check I am not harming them!

[alan42]

must admit i have never tryed them actually i never thought about them so will watch with interest but thinking about it logicaly i can see no reason not to as long as it is in moderation as a treat sometimes not exclusively.
alan

[Aunt Sally]

My chickens will kill large dogs to get at meal worms - fresh or dried - they are very nutritious, high in protien and very good for chooks, especially when there are not too many worms about.

[slowef]

Yes mine too Aunt Sally.  Beware though it can cause fighting and greedeness like you never imagined.

I use them to introduce myself to any new hens I get and within 2 days they are devoted to me I also found that if there is even a hint of them other food is ignored so make them a treat and at different times of day or you will never get any peace.

I buy mine from a woman on Ebay in 3kg sacks they work out about an 1/8th of the price of those silly tubs in the garden centre

[Aunt Sally]

I buy mine from a woman on Ebay in 3kg sacks they work out about an 1/8th of the price of those silly tubs in the garden centre

Good tip slowef  

[Kazoo]

Thanks for the speedy replies.  I will continue to feed these as their evening treat then, must admit they do fight like mad over them I've never seen the girls run so quickly when they see them!

[richyrich7]

Why not "grow your own" it's dead easy all you need is some live ones and a bucket of cheapo porridge oats.

[Aunt Sally]

I did try it once Richy and it's not that easy.  I'll see if I can find the instructions I used.

[Aunt Sally]

Here it is:

http://www.javafinch.co.uk/feed/live/live.html

Mine got too hot and all died  

[muntjac]

waste of good money ., hang a rabbit up and let the flies do the rest .you can by offal from the butcher put it in a biscuit tin and a couple handfuls sqawdust n then chuck em in when they are big enough ,i use tyhat trick for freshwater angling ,when maggots are £2 a pint n out of date liver is 29p it makes sense

[lizatros]

In all this hot weather I prop open my dustbin to let the garden birds in to eat all the maggots. They queue up for them. Plus it gets rid of the smell. I suppose I could scoop some up for the hens  

[KathyH]

One word for all this - Euwww!  :cry:

[Aunt Sally]

waste of good money ., hang a rabbit up and let the flies do the rest .you can by offal from the butcher put it in a biscuit tin and a couple handfuls sqawdust n then chuck em in when they are big enough ,i use tyhat trick for freshwater angling ,when maggots are £2 a pint n out of date liver is 29p it makes sense

Great idea Munty but not acceptible on a housing estate in Kent  :shock:
My chooks are worth a couple of quid a month for meal worms.  
They repay me with hours of pleasure and a garden with "life" in it  

[slowef]

I have birds with expensive tastes (like their owner) bought them some maggots from the fishing shop and they wouldn't touch them.   Idon't blame them either, insipid colour white not nice brown.  A bit like us and brown eggs maybe??

[slowef]

Here it is:

http://www.javafinch.co.uk/feed/live/live.html

Mine got too hot and all died  

What a palaver!!, sooner buy dried ones and if any get dropped you don't find nasty little beatles everywhere in the utility room!!!