What Are The Best Treats For Your Poultry ~ Part 1

WHY MEALWORMS?

Hens need a tremendous amount of protein to lay eggs and also to create new feathers during their molt.

Mealworms are an excellent way to increase your animals' protein intake! Dried mealworms have a lot of benefits. Because they are an excellent source of protein, they help your chicks grow back their feathers faster and boost your flock’s immune system during molting season.

Feeding dried mealworms to your chickens will enable them to produce eggs at their peak. And because eggs are almost wholly protein, feeding your chickens mealworms is the perfect treat in their diet.

WHAT ARE MEALWORMS?

Mealworms are the larval stage of the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio Molitor, a species of darkling beetle. A darkling beetle experiences a complete metamorphosis which means it has four distinct stages of life. The four stages are an egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The amount of time a darkling beetle spends in each stage can vary greatly due to environmental factors like temperature, humidity, food, and water.

For Picky Neb non-gmo mealworms, the insects will consume fresh oats, whole wheat bran, or grain, with sliced potato, carrots, or apple pieces as a water source.

Mealworms may shed their exoskeleton nine to 20 times depending on their rate of growth.

Mealworms are scavengers — they eat grains and decomposing plants and animals. Mealworms are typically used as a food source for reptiles, fish, and birds. In some cultures, baked or fried mealworms are sold as a snack food.