Can Chickens Eat Wax Worms?

Many chicken owners find their chickens munching on insects when they are free-grazing.

So, chicken keepers wonder if there are any health benefits associated with feeding chicken insects regularly.

One of the most commonly available insects in pet stores is meal worms and wax worms. 

And, so, pet parents of chickens deliberate whether chickens can eat wax worms and whether or not wax worms make a nutritional meal for these flightless birds.

Wax-worms are the larvae of wax moths with quite a high nutritional content.

Without further ado, let’s take a deeper look into the advantages of providing your beloved flock of birdies with wax worms. 

Is It Healthy For Chickens To Eat Wax Worms?

Not only are these worms plump and juicy, rendering themselves as a delicious meal for chickens but these worms are also full of protein, calcium, fiber, and fat.

Now, let’s see if your chickens need any of the following nutrients.

Calcium 

A mineral that is essential for the healthy growth and development of bones in humans and animals, including chickens.

Now, calcium is necessary for the proper functioning of the heart, muscles, and nerves. 

But, chickens most especially need calcium in their diet to produce hard eggshells and prevent egg binding.

Protein

Protein is elemental for building, DNA replication, cell structure, transportation of other molecules, and speeding up enzyme chemical reactions.

Moreover, in chickens, protein is vital for the beak, feathers, and toenail formation.

You have to understand that the need for protein varies from the chick stage to the egg-laying stage. 

Fiber – Fiber does many good things for the body as it helps regulate bowel movements, keeps the gut flora and fauna thriving, enhances the digestive tract functioning, and controls the blood sugar levels. 

You might not comprehend why chickens need to have their blood sugar under control, but all you have to do to understand is take a look at a chicken’s eating habits.

Chickens don’t eat at a specific time; they forage throughout the day.

Every time they eat, their blood sugar spikes. So, fiber works to keep the blood sugar in check.

Fat

Excessive fat isn’t recommended for chickens, but a bit of fat will do your chicken much good during specific times of the year.

So, when winter is around the corner, and your chicken will be burning up all of its energy to keep warm, a treat of wax worms will go a long way in helping your flock stay warm.

How To Feed Wax Worms To Chickens?

Well, you need to ensure that the wax worms you offer your fowl are free of infections and contagious diseases; hence, always buy from secure sources where you can trust the quality of the batch of wax worms you will be presenting to your chicken.

Now, chicken owners tend to feed wax worms to chickens in two ways.

One is to simply throw a few wax worms onto the ground and see how your chickens react.

In most cases, chickens tend to gobble wax worms right up.

But if you notice any form of resistance and want to buff up your chicken, then you can try mixing wax worms in your chicken’s feed. 

Also, wax worms shouldn’t be part of your chicken’s meals because they are nutritional.

As the fat content of these worms is too high, it can cause your flock to develop more health problems than provide health benefits.

Waxworms should only be served as a treat every other week or so.

Can Baby Chickens Eat Wax Worms?

Chick under the age of three weeks shouldn’t be fed any wax worms or any other insects, for that matter.

You see, at such a tender age, chicks have yet to develop the digestive system necessary to break down such meals. 

Chicks below the age of three should be given meals consisting of chick feed, chick starters, or grits.

Once the chicks are beyond their three weeks, you can offer an occasional snack of the wax worm.

Only the worms you put before your fowl must be small so as not to represent a choking hazard for your bird.

What Worms Can Chickens Eat?

Chickens love to try new things out.

Chickens can eat almost anything.

But, you should be careful that you provide the most wholesome meals and treats for your flock of chickens.

Hence, it is a bright idea to feed your chickens worms that are nutritious.

You can try feeding your bird hornworms, mealworms, superworms, and earthworms. 

Can Chickens Eat Wax Moth?

There are two different wax moths – the lesser wax moth and the greater wax moth.

Your chicken doesn’t care if it’s the lesser wax moth or the greater wax moth.

Chickens happily gorge down wax moth larvae, and many chicken owners who indulge in beekeeping find having a bunch of chickens close by very handy in keeping their beehives safe from attack from wax moths.

Wrapping Up

Chickens aren’t discerning eaters.

As for chicken owners, it is your responsibility to ensure that your flock of chickens live long and healthy lives.

So, yes, if you want your flock to be more fit and full of energy, an occasional snack of wax worms is smart thinking.

However, do refrain from making wax worms a constant part of your feathered friends’ meals, as that will simply make them obese and create more health problems than do any good.