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Post by Mari-in-IN on May 1, 2015 16:32:40 GMT
Some of us were talking mealworms on another thread. Did just a weebit research on the net-some people say feeding them in large quantities could cause kidney failure due to the high protein content. Now I'm not sure if they were talking alive or dried. I obviously wouldn't feed in large quantities-but just as a treat if I do go down that road. Instead of sifting through tons of info on the net-wanted to know what you guys thought... I anxiously await your replies! |
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2015 16:45:12 GMT
What else are you feeding? If you're feeding primarily a high protein grain/legume mix, you'd need to watch excess protein more than if you were feeding a lot of veggie scraps and fresh greens.
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Post by Mari-in-IN on May 1, 2015 16:53:59 GMT
What else are you feeding? If you're feeding primarily a high protein grain/legume mix, you'd need to watch excess protein more than if you were feeding a lot of veggie scraps and fresh greens. They get ADM's Egg maker complete which is 16% protein. Some of my coops are free-range, some are not...No one really gets scraps this time of year-but when the garden comes in they get tomatoes. Occasionally, in the morning when I let everyone out I will toss a weebit of scratch just for fun. The free-range ones are munching down on clover/grass, etc...
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2015 18:15:32 GMT
I'd give the mealworms in proportion to other low protein treats. I'd have to see the nutrition info to make up an exact ratio. The free range ones are going to catch some bugs of their own too.
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Post by Mari-in-IN on May 1, 2015 18:37:12 GMT
I'd give the mealworms in proportion to other low protein treats. I'd have to see the nutrition info to make up an exact ratio. The free range ones are going to catch some bugs of their own too. If you mean nutrition info on mealworms I found this at mealwormcare.org/recipes-nutrition/
Live Mealworm Nutritional Values*
Protein: 20%
Fat: 13%
Fiber: 2%
Water: 62%
Dried Mealworm Nutritional Values*
Protein: 53%
Fat: 28%
Fiber: 6%
Water: 5%
*Approximate values.
Wow-big difference in protein! Perhaps not too good to feed a lot of dried(?).
Yeah, dipping dried ones in chocolate sounds really yummy  Maybe to some-but not me!!
ETA: Just found some dried I had bought for the wild birds at Menards-protein (min) 47%, fat (min) 25%, fiber (max) 6%, moisture (max) 5%. Says this product is only intended for feeding wild birds; I wonder if anyone hands a few of these out to their chickens? But I digress...as usual...
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Post by bergere on May 1, 2015 19:04:33 GMT
I give dried meal worms as treats and get them into the Hen house, when they don't want to go in other wise. They will follow me any where for meal worms.
Mine free range around the house and two of the most close pastures. They are also feed non GMO layer. They eat a lot of the Non GMO layer in winter , but very little during the summer.
There is a lot of good natural food for
them to eat, grass, weeds, flowers, bugs of all kinds.
And last but not least, mice, voles, moles..... LOL
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2015 21:24:04 GMT
Live Mealworm Nutritional Values*
Protein: 20%
Fat: 13%
Fiber: 2%
Water: 62%
Dried Mealworm Nutritional Values*
Protein: 53%
Fat: 28%
Fiber: 6%
Water: 5%
*Approximate values.
Wow-big difference in protein! Perhaps not too good to feed a lot of dried(?).
On a dry matter basis, they're very close actually. The live worms just weigh more because they have more water in them. Given the same number of worms, the change is negligible. |
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Post by aoconnor on May 2, 2015 13:00:12 GMT
I feed my birds dried mealworms as treats. Oh gosh, one swoosh of the bag and I have a whole yard full of happily gobbling birds at my feet! They adore their treats, and my Guineas love them as much as my chickens do. I free range my birds, but I also have chick/grow/lay crumbles in the coop for night time.
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Post by Mari-in-IN on May 2, 2015 19:01:10 GMT
I give dried meal worms as treats and get them into the Hen house, when they don't want to go in other wise. They will follow me any where for meal worms. This question is directed at aoconnor as well. Do you purchase the dried ones intended for wild birds? Or some marketed specifically for chickens? This is very new to me so I don't know if there is a difference between the two... Thanks!
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Post by aoconnor on May 2, 2015 20:52:34 GMT
I just buy them at Tractor Supply, they have them in the chicken feed section! I never noticed if they also have them in the wild bird food section! I don't believe there is any difference at all in them.
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Post by bergere on May 2, 2015 21:24:41 GMT
Get mine at tractor supply too. In the chicken section.
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2015 16:30:20 GMT
Unless they're fortified with something, mealworms should be mealworms...
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Post by aoconnor on May 5, 2015 1:28:34 GMT
I just bought a few bags of different treats for my birds, all had mealworms as one of the treats. The one I fed today was mealworms, oats, raisins, and millet. Holy cow did the birds dive right on in on that deal! I love all the contented clucks and murmurs from the chickens and Guineas when they are eating...so sweet:-)
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Maybe to some-but not me!!
