Can Chickens Eat Mealworms?

Yes. Mealworms are one of the safest and most nutritious treats you can give backyard chickens. Both live and dried mealworms are suitable, contain approximately 50% crude protein (dried), and trigger natural foraging behaviour that keeps your flock engaged and active. Mealworms are particularly beneficial for laying hens during periods of high demand - moulting, winter and peak laying season.

Are Mealworms Good for Laying Hens?

Mealworms are excellent for laying hens. The high protein content supports consistent egg production and helps hens recover from moulting faster. For best results, combine mealworms with a calcium supplement such as shell grit or aragonite - protein drives laying frequency, calcium drives shell quality.

Live vs Dried vs Giant Mealworms - Which to Choose

  • Live mealworms: maximum enrichment value, triggers hunting behaviour, store in the fridge
  • Dried mealworms: convenient, long shelf life, no refrigeration, same protein content as live
  • Giant mealworms (Zophobas morio): larger species, higher fat content, excellent for larger birds and moulting hens needing extra energy
  • Small mealworms: ideal for bantams, chicks over 6 weeks and smaller bird breeds

How Often to Feed Mealworms to Chickens

Feed mealworms as a daily treat - but stick to the 10% rule. No more than 10g of treats per chicken per day. For a flock of 5 hens, that is 50g of dried mealworms or a small handful of live mealworms. Daily mealworm feeding during moulting (typically autumn in Australia) supports faster feather regrowth.

Can Ducks Eat Mealworms?

Yes. Ducks love mealworms and can safely eat live and dried versions. Feed mealworms to ducks in the same way as chickens - scatter them in a foraging area or offer in a shallow dish with water. Ducks will happily eat mealworms daily as a protein treat. Dried mealworms are especially popular with wild birds and duck keepers because they can be mixed into floating feed or scattered around a pond edge.

Faq

Can chickens eat dried mealworms?

Yes. Dried mealworms are completely safe for chickens and are one of the most popular backyard chicken treats in Australia. They are high in protein (~50% crude protein), have a long shelf life without refrigeration, and can be mixed into layer feed or fed separately. Note: the UK ban on dried mealworms in poultry feed does not apply in Australia - dried mealworms are legal and safe to feed to backyard chickens here.

How many mealworms can I give my chicken per day?

The guideline is no more than 10g of treats (total) per chicken per day. For dried mealworms specifically, 10g is approximately one small tablespoon per bird. For a flock of 6 hens, that is 60g per day maximum. Live mealworms have a higher water content so you can offer slightly more by weight. Always ensure layer pellets remain the primary food source.

Are mealworms good for moulting chickens?

Yes - mealworms are one of the best treats to feed chickens during a moult. Feathers are approximately 85% protein, so moulting hens have significantly higher protein needs than usual. Increasing mealworm frequency during moult (typically March–June in Australia for most breeds) helps hens regrow feathers faster and return to laying sooner. Giant mealworms are particularly useful during moult due to their higher energy content.

What is the difference between mealworms and giant mealworms?

Standard mealworms are larvae of the Tenebrio molitor beetle, growing to about 2.5 cm. Giant mealworms (Zophobas morio) are the larvae of a different species, growing to 5–6 cm and containing more fat per gram than standard mealworms. Giant mealworms are better suited to larger breeds, adult hens and birds needing extra energy during moult or winter. Standard mealworms are appropriate for all chicken sizes and ages.

Can wild birds eat mealworms?

Yes. Dried mealworms are one of the most popular wild bird foods in Australia. They attract insectivorous garden birds such as butcherbirds, robins, thornbills, magpie-larks and many others. Scatter dried mealworms in a garden bird feeder or on a flat surface. Nest Box Online sells dried mealworms suitable for both backyard chickens and wild bird feeding.

Are mealworms good for laying hens?

Yes. Mealworms are one of the best treats for laying hens because of their high protein content (approximately 50% crude protein in dried form). Protein is essential for consistent egg production and feather quality. Feed dried or live mealworms as a daily treat - no more than 10g per bird per day - alongside a calcium supplement like shell grit for the strongest eggshells. Nest Box Online sells Australian-grown mealworms for chickens in live, dried, small and giant varieties.

Can chickens eat mealworms every day?

 Yes, chickens can eat mealworms daily, provided the quantity stays within the 10% treat rule - no more than 10g of total treats per bird per day. Daily mealworms are particularly beneficial during moulting season (autumn in Australia), when hens need extra protein for feather regrowth. Both dried and live mealworms are suitable for daily feeding.

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