Raising insects yourself can be an excellent way to give your chickens some protein while cutting down on store-bought feed costs, while providing more essential amino acids than grains do.
Insects have gained momentum as potential sources of animal proteins to replace fishmeal and other traditional feed ingredients, while having lower environmental impacts than cultivating crops for commercial feed production.
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Insects are a good source of protein
Insects are one of the world’s most diverse animal groups. Scientists have recognized over one million distinct species; however, entomologists (scientists who study bugs) estimate there may be four million more waiting to be discovered.
In general, insects possess three pairs of legs with bilateral symmetry and segmented bodies with bilateral symmetry. Furthermore, they possess an exoskeleton, two antennae, and (usually) wings.
Some insects use their mouthparts to drink nectar, chew plant material, pierce blood vessels or collect plant fluids; their antennae also sense ultraviolet wavelengths, polarized light or pheromones.
Insects make an excellent source of protein for chicken feed, providing all of their essential amino acids. The amount needed will depend on your flock’s age and activity level.
They’re a good source of fat
If you’re seeking a natural and sustainable way of providing protein to your chickens, insect farming might be just what’s needed. Bugs provide essential fat for chicken food while taking up less space than other livestock species.
Fishmeal, made up of wild-caught small marine fish and byproducts from aquaculture, is the primary protein source found in conventional animal feed. Unfortunately, due to extensive fishing and processing requirements, its ecological impact is significant.
Insects provide animals with access to natural sources of protein-rich diet. Their lipids may also be extracted and used as feed ingredients in poultry and livestock farming operations.
Mealworms and crickets can make great protein supplements for livestock. Raising these insects is simple and offers your birds access to many vital nutrients; raising these insects could even be less expensive than purchasing them commercially; however, keeping in mind their higher caloric density should also be taken into consideration as possible sources of nutrition.
They’re a good source of fiber
Farming insects for chicken feed is an excellent way to provide your flock with a range of healthy meals, providing both protein and fiber at once.
As opposed to grains, insects produce their own water and waste products, making them a more eco-friendly source of chicken food. You can feed insects on organic waste such as vegetables, distillers’ waste, coffee bean pulp, fish offal, food scraps and manure for optimal growth.
They provide essential fat and calcium, and contain more nutrition than soybeans; additionally, insects’ exoskeletons may even help your chickens’ immune systems by protecting against potential predators.
Black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) make another excellent treat for your chickens. Not only do these fast-growing pupae thrive quickly and make great companions for your flock, they’re easy to raise too – their waste (called frass) can even serve as compost in your homestead!
They’re a good source of calcium
Calcium is an integral part of chicken shells and essential to egg development, so insufficient calcium intake could result in irregular or weak shells on your hens’ eggs.
As a rule of thumb, your chickens should receive two grams of calcium daily; however, those under 18 weeks may require up to four times that amount.
Calcium deficiency can result in various symptoms, from weakened bones to infertility. Furthermore, it may alter how your hens lay eggs by producing abnormal shelled or even shell-less eggs.
Feed your chickens a complete poultry feed that contains high levels of calcium supplements like Mile Four Oyster Shell to ensure they receive their full calcium needs. Mile Four Oyster Shell’s fine and coarse-grained particles allow ample time for digestion before being absorbed by their digestive tract and ultimately the chicken itself.
Limestone can also provide calcium, with less absorption but at a more reasonable price point. Other calcium supplements include diatomaceous earth, fish meal or ground bone meal.
