Yes, chickens can eat superworms. It’s packed with nutrition that the chickens need to stay healthy and strong. However, due to their high amount of protein, superworms should be fed in moderation. Too much protein in their diet can cause them health problems.
Is Superworms Safe For Chickens?
Superworms don’t contain any toxins, so it’s safe for chickens to eat.
However, superworms do have teeth, but it’s not enough to cause harm to the chickens.
Another thing is to make sure you’re not feeding too many superworms to your chickens. It’s best to feed them in moderation. Superworms contain a very high amount of protein.
Too much protein in their diet can actually cause harm to the chickens. It can lead to excess water drinking, which will result in loose bowels, blistered feet, and wetter litter.
In addition, there will be more ammonia being produced by the chickens. Due to this, issues with the respiratory system and eye problems can occur.
Is It Healthy For Chickens To Eat Superworms?
Superworms are packed with many nutrients. This includes calcium, protein, and fiber. All of these nutrients are what the chickens need, so it’s healthy for them to eat them.
As for calcium, chickens need this mineral for bone development and keeping them strong. Baby chickens and egg-laying hens require a lot of calcium in their diet.
Superworms Has High Amount Of Calcium
Baby chickens grow quickly, and they need calcium for bone growth.
As for hens, they require a lot of calcium as well. They need calcium to produce quality eggs. The eggshell is made entirely of calcium, so it’s important the hens get plenty of this mineral.
In addition, the hen themselves need calcium in their diet. During egg production, a lot of nutrition is put toward producing the eggs. Then hens are usually stressed from this and become weak. By giving them plenty of calcium, it will not only help with quality eggs but keep the hens strong as well, especially their bones.
Superworms Is A Good Source Of Protein
Protein is required as part of the chicken’s dietary supplement. This nutrient plays an important role in many parts of the body. For the muscles, protein is needed to build, maintain, and repair them.
For other parts of the body, protein is needed in order for the organs to function properly.
For egg-laying hens, protein is important as well. They need protein and a lot of it, which will help produce strong and healthy eggs. In addition, the protein will help them stay healthy during egg production.
Can Baby Chickens Eat Superworms?
Baby chickens can eat superworms, but only once they are about 3 weeks old. While superworms have nutrition that the chicks need, it doesn’t have enough to support their health and growth.
Also, their digestive system has not developed enough to properly digest the superworms. It could cause crop impaction if the chicks eat them.
Instead, baby chickens should be fed a diet of chick starter feed. The feed has been formulated with the proper amount of vitamins and minerals to help the chicks grow strong.
Once the chicks are at least 3 weeks old, you can start to introduce superworms to them. The worms are relatively big along with their hard outer skeleton known as chitin, so they should be cut into smaller pieces before feeding them. This will avoid the chicks from choking on superworms.
Also, be sure to provide them plenty of grits. The grits are necessary for the chicks to break down the worms in their gizzard.
How Do You Feed Superworms To Your Chickens?
When it comes to superworms, there are several options you have to feed them to your chickens.
One of the ways is to simply toss the superworms to the chickens. They will start to peck and eat them. If you have a large flock, make sure each chicken gets to eat them.
Another way is to mix superworms in with other food. This can be fruits and vegetables, and even chicken feed. Doing so is a great way to give your chicken a boost in nutrition, especially protein.
How Many Superworms Should You Feed Your Chickens?
While superworms are packed with nutrition, it’s best to feed them in small amounts. Too many superworms can harm their health due to the high content of protein.
Therefore, for each adult chicken, you can give them one or two superworms to eat. For baby chickens, they can be served 3 or 4 superworms. Chicks need plenty of protein in the diet since they grow quickly.
How Often Should You Feed Superworms To Your Chickens?
Superworms should be served to the chickens in moderation. The worms aren’t part of their staple diet, as it doesn’t contain enough nutrition to support their health.
Avoid giving superworms to your chickens on a daily basis. Too much of it could cause them health problems.
Superworms should only be fed to them as a treat. It should only make up 10% of their entire diet. The rest should come from quality commercial feeds. The feeds are formulated with the proper amount of nutrition to keep the chickens healthy and strong.
Therefore, superworms should be fed to the chickens, once or twice per week.
Other Worms That Chickens Can Eat
Earthworms
Earthworms are one of the chicken’s favorite food. In the wild, earthworms and other insects make up the bulk of their diet. The worms are a good source of protein, calcium, and water. Free-ranging chickens will forage for earthworms. You can also catch and feed earthworms to your chickens as well. Be sure to not feed them too many at each feeding.
Hornworms
During the spring and summer, as plants start to grow, hornworms will start to appear on them. When feeding hornworms to your chickens, be sure that the worms aren’t eating the tomato plants. The tomato plants contain a toxin known as solanine. This toxin can harm the chicken, even death can occur.
To avoid any health problems, ensure the hornworms aren’t eating tomato plants in your garden.
Mealworms
Mealworms are similar to superworms but smaller. This worm is a staple food for reptiles kept in captivity. For chickens, they can eat them as well. Mealworms are packed with nutrition, especially protein. Only feed mealworms to your chickens in moderation to avoid any health issues.
Conclusion
Superworms make a tasty and nutritious treat for chickens. They are loaded with calcium and protein that the chicken can benefit from, especially baby chickens and egg-laying hens.
