mealworms?

[gummi_bear44]

I haven't found anything on this topic yet. Does anyone feed their birds mealworms or other insects(crickets,waxworms,etc..)? I have my own mealworm farm so I know they are healthy and gut loaded. Would this be a good source of protien or snack? Thanks a bunch

[cfulhage]

A petstore that I go do has a huge cag (gotta be a world record weight!!) and they told me that his favorite treat is live crickets. The guy got one out, and the bird flew right over to his hand, got the cricket, and flew back to his gym. I couldnt watch him eat it...

I don't know if its good for them or not though, sorry!

[~AshlieNicole~]

I have heard of people feeding their fids mealworms and crickets, I do not do this with mine as bugs creep me out. Anyhoo I think they are ok for them. I have heard that they have quite a bit of protein.

[Monica]

As long as the insects are safe, they are fine to eat by anyone (there are places in the world where humans eat crickets, meal worms, and even tarantulas!). If my birds see something wiggling around in their cage or food (happens rarely - usually if I get any bugs in my seed) they just stare at it and watch it! If I could teach them to eat bugs, I would as they are a good source of extra protein, and in the wild they may eat insects and the like as part of their diet! But alas, I don't feel like having some little farm, or to keep trying the insects on my birds if they are only going to stare at them!

[Alyce Johnson]

They are supposed to be good for them.
But, my macaw spits them out. I've tried her on mealworms (from the vivarium, bought for my husband's pet lizards) and also on an earthworm from my own (organic) garden. She licked each one, and spit it out promptly. The 2nd time (the mealworm) she spit it out even faster than the 1st time, which I took as a sign that she didn't much care for the "treat" being offered. In fact, the next time I said "treat" and offered her something, she was hesitant. (She's a blind rescue birdie, so she can't see what she's getting ahead of time.) I haven't tried it with my green cheeks, but considering their proclivity for human flesh, I guess they might go for it. I don't think I want to encourage them when it comes to biting things that are still alive, though. They're pretty nippy, and have all 7 cats terrorized - us humans are cautious.... ~Alyce J.

[gummi_bear44]

Thank you everyone for your responses. I assumed they were good for them seeing how they eat them in the wild but I haven't read anything about people feeding them to their birds. I will definitly give it try once I get my quaker. Thanks again.

[Montys Mommy]

Just one thing to remember with the meal worms, if you are feeding them live, make sure they are not gut busted for reptiles, therre is way too much phospherus in gut busting formulas than birds should have.
Also, get the smallest size, or i guess the youngest. The more mealworms "mature" they develop little pinchers on their mouths that if swallowed whole by a bird can eat a hole through your bird's crop. Either buyt he smaller size, or cut off the heads.
I personally feed mine wax worms, Monty loves them. I'd contact a local breeder and ask if they have any fresh ones and ask if they gut bust.
http://www.flukerfarms.com/ is a good place to order from. Most pet stores won't know if their worms are gut busted, or even how fresh they are.

[felisdomesticus]

wow I never thought of feeding live insects. It's an interesting idea!