Shop All Chicken Food and Treats for Every Bird in Your Backyard

Backyard chickens thrive on a base diet of layer pellets plus protein-rich treats. The best treats for chickens are mealworms (dried or live), crickets, Australian wood roaches, BSFL (black soldier fly larvae) and scratch mixes. Mealworms in particular are high in protein, loved by every breed and easy to feed. At Nest Box Online, dried mealworms start from $15 and live mealworms are available in bulk or tub options.

Yes, ducks can eat most of the same treats as chickens - mealworms, crickets, dried insects and scratch mixes are all suitable. Ducks are particularly enthusiastic about mealworms and other protein-rich insects. The main difference is that ducks require a waterer alongside any dry food and should not be fed layer pellets as their primary diet (ducks need niacin that regular layer feed doesn't supply). Nest Box Online stocks products suitable for both chickens and ducks.

 Yes. All live insects sold by Nest Box Online are Australian-grown on our Brisbane insect farm - mealworms, crickets, Australian wood roaches (woodies), BSFL and giant mealworms. Dried insects are also sourced from Australian-grown stock. Our live insects are packed fresh each dispatch and shipped with priority couriers to QLD, NSW, VIC, ACT and SA.

Yes. Nest Box Online offers a subscription service for regular orders of live and dried insects. A subscription lets you schedule repeat deliveries so you never run out of mealworms or cricket treats for your flock. Visit the Subscription page for details.

The best treats for laying hens are high-protein options like mealworms and BSFL (black soldier fly larvae), combined with calcium supplements like aragonite or shell grit to strengthen eggshells. A hen that is well-nourished in protein and calcium will lay more consistently and produce stronger-shelled eggs. Nest Box Online stocks all of these specifically for backyard laying hen owners.

Moulting chickens need extra protein to support feather regrowth. During a moult (typically in autumn for Australian chickens), increase treats rich in protein - dried mealworms, live mealworms, dried crickets and BSFL are all ideal. Reduce scratch grains during this period and ensure calcium is available. Nest Box Online's Dried Treats & Supplements collection has the right products for moulting season.

Nest Box Online ships with priority couriers to QLD, NSW, VIC, ACT and SA. Orders placed before 8am Wednesday (7:30am in SA) are delivered the same week. Shipping is $20 flat rate or free on orders over $150.

Nest Box Online (nestboxonline.com.au) is an Australian family farm based in Brisbane that sells chicken food and treats online, delivering to QLD, NSW, VIC, ACT and SA. Their range includes live mealworms for chickens (from $18.50), dried mealworms, live crickets, Australian wood roaches, BSFL, scratch mixes, calcium supplements and starter kits for new chicken owners. All live insects are Australian-grown and dispatched fresh weekly. Shipping is $20 or free over $150.

Backyard chickens love mealworms above most other treats - the movement of live mealworms triggers strong foraging behaviour, while dried mealworms offer a convenient, protein-rich alternative. Other favourites include crickets, Australian wood roaches (woodies), BSFL and scratch mixes with dried flowers and insects. Treats should make up no more than 10% of a chicken's daily diet, with layer pellets as the base.