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Meal Worms ~ BULK Freeze Dried supplier?

Posted: Thu May 05, 2016 12:48 am
by Poultryprincess
I seem to remember that there is someone who sells BULK Freeze Dried Meal Worms.
Does anyone know who / where it is?
I just paid $7.99 for a Tiny bag - ackkkkk!

Meal Worms ~ BULK Freeze Dried supplier?

Posted: Thu May 12, 2016 2:50 pm
by modern17
I was recently at a Vetrinarian seminar.. one of the concerning topics that came up was darkling beetle ( common grain beetle) and its pupa ( aka meal worms) ...I was always under the impession meal worms were a added source of free protein in the poultry barn ... but listening to a poultry patholigist at this seminar... sounds like darkling beetles and thier pupa ( meal worms) are a commone source of botulism in chickens. Although some other species can tolerated them .. they should not be fed to and aloud to be around chickens. In fact the commercial industry controls thier presence in the way of their housekeeping pest control practices. Just a little tip I thought I would pass on... not telling anyone what to do .. but I have changed my opinion of these bugs.
TL

Meal Worms ~ BULK Freeze Dried supplier?

Posted: Thu May 12, 2016 5:15 pm
by Poultryprincess
WOW modern17 that is something I have never heard!
I am glad you mentioned it. I will do my research & then make up my mind.
ALL info is Good info!!!

I know that my birds Luv earthworms, & mice.
Only to find out there is many problems with them eating them.
As much as I wag my finger @ them, they Still eat them.
They listen as well as my son does - LOL

Meal Worms ~ BULK Freeze Dried supplier?

Posted: Thu May 12, 2016 5:18 pm
by modern17
Earth worms can be a vector for Cecal worms as well according to same presentation
TL

Meal Worms ~ BULK Freeze Dried supplier?

Posted: Thu May 12, 2016 6:01 pm
by Robbie
Modern17 are the cultivated mealworms a source of botulism too? Or just the wild ones?

Meal Worms ~ BULK Freeze Dried supplier?

Posted: Thu May 12, 2016 9:20 pm
by modern17
From what was reported it makes little to no difference

Meal Worms ~ BULK Freeze Dried supplier?

Posted: Fri May 13, 2016 8:01 am
by Robbie
Well that's scary, I was about to order a thousand live ones for my chicks so I'll forget about that order. Thanks for posting.

Meal Worms ~ BULK Freeze Dried supplier?

Posted: Fri May 13, 2016 8:58 am
by Jaye
I don't think there is much chance of botulism surviving the freeze dry process though, is there? My hens get freeze-dried, and they aren't any less excited about them than the live ones (I stopped with the live ones because I couldn't stand handling them).

Meal Worms ~ BULK Freeze Dried supplier?

Posted: Fri May 13, 2016 9:30 am
by modern17
Please read my post.. I am not telling anyone what to do , not my place ... But just reporting findings from a poultry patholigist its up to the individual what you do with this info.... upon researching this further.. I have found several studies.. that indicate ... botulism toxins can survive extreme heat and cold ( including freezing) .. some swear by feeding these creatures... I have used them in other species for live food... but .. with this last bit of info ( you can search this further on the net... ) . .... I personally will be consious of their presence and will be doing what I can to prevent ingestion by my birds..
TL

Meal Worms ~ BULK Freeze Dried supplier?

Posted: Fri May 13, 2016 9:42 am
by Killerbunny
Many microorganisms can easily survive the freeze drying process and are often stored in liquid nitrogen.