Ever discovered bugs in your chicken feed bag and wondered, “Is this bad?” Chickens are natural omnivores, and historically, they foraged for protein in the form of insects and grubs.
Today, feeds deliberately containing insects – often referred to as insect-based chicken feed – are gaining popularity.
These feeds include ingredients such as dried mealworms or black soldier fly larvae blended into pellets.
Even as novel as this sounds, it mirrors a chicken’s instinct: “Chickens have the natural behavior of pecking up a variety of insects during their entire life cycle and eating them voluntarily”.
At the same time, backyard keepers often ask if stray weevils or maggots in a bag (i.e., “chicken feed has bugs in it”) are harmful.
In this guide, we’ll address both sides: the benefits of feeding bugs intentionally and what to do about unwanted critters.
We’ll cover why chickens love bugs, the nutrition bugs provide, safety issues, sustainability, costs, transitioning tips, and even DIY bug farming.
We’ll also touch on related trends (for example, pet-food makers in the USA are even launching insect-based cat food as a high-protein, eco-friendly option).
Whether you’re considering adding insect protein to your flock’s diet or have found a few worms in your feed, read on for the whole story.
Why Chickens Love Bugs?
Chickens are opportunistic omnivores – they will peck almost anything edible. In the wild (or on free-range runs), they instinctively hunt small creatures.
Poultry experts note, “pasture chickens will forage in the field looking for a variety of different insects”. Grubs, beetle larvae, crickets, grasshoppers, and even spiders or ticks all become chicken snacks.
Insects are an excellent protein source, and “chickens also need a source of protein, and insects and grubs are their preferred choices”.
When given a choice in a study, chickens will eagerly eat insect larva meals. Their attraction to bugs is partly due to taste and partly instinct – chickens have evolved to eat bugs.
Owners find that hens will crowd around any mealworms or crickets offered, driven by their protein cravings. In short, bugs taste good to chickens and meet their nutritional need for high protein.
Nutritional Benefits of Bugs in Chicken Feed
Insect meals are densely nutritious. Most insects are approximately 40–60% protein by dry weight, comparable to fish meal, and often richer in specific amino acids.
For example, mealworms typically run ~53% protein and 28% fat, while black soldier fly larvae meal usually has 35–57% protein and ~35% fat.
They also contain essential amino acids (like lysine, threonine, and tryptophan) that grains lack. Insects carry healthy fats too – BSF larvae are rich in lauric acid, an antimicrobial fat.
Insects also provide other essential nutrients that chickens need, including vitamins, minerals, and calcium. (Remarkably, one insect feed brand claims BSF grubs have “50× more calcium than mealworms”, though even ordinary insects provide a calcium boost compared to grain alone.)
Beyond basic nutrition, insect parts can benefit health. Their exoskeletons contain chitin and chitosan, which research has shown can stimulate the immune system and exhibit antimicrobial effects in chickens.
In other words, insect fibres and peptides can help chickens fight disease. Insects may even act like a prebiotic in the gut.
Studies also report that some insect meals have antioxidants and anti-parasitic compounds. In sum, bugs add balanced protein and micronutrients.
For example, one review notes that insects are rich in protein, energy, fat, and ash, including essential amino acids, which help fill gaps left by plain grains.
This can improve egg production and feather quality. So, feeding insects to chickens provides a concentrated, varied nutrient profile that chickens actively crave.
Types of Bugs Used in Chicken Feed
Common feeder insects include black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), mealworms (Tenebrio molitor), crickets/grasshoppers, housefly maggots, silkworm pupae, and even earthworms.
In practice, insect feed producers focus on a few species: USDA experts highlight “three main groups of insects used commercially: yellow mealworms, black soldier flies, and crickets”.
These reproduce quickly and thrive in farm conditions. Mealworms and black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) are the big ones – many products use dried mealworm larvae or BSFL prepupae as a protein source.
Hobbyists also raise crickets, locusts, or black soldier flies on a small scale. Even pests like housefly larvae (maggots) can be used if reared under clean conditions.
In backyard DIY, people sometimes feed composting worms or collect grasshoppers. The choice depends on ease of raising and nutrient content.
Generally, any protein-packed larva or grub is a potential chicken snack, though we’ll caution on toxic insects later.
Forms of Chicken Feed With Bugs
Insects can be offered to chickens in many forms. They might eat them live (by chasing beetles or worms in the yard), or you can provide dried or freeze-dried insects as a supplement.
Commercially, insect meal or flour (powdered larvae) is mixed into pellets or crumbles as a protein ingredient.
Some feeds are 100% insect-based (e.g., whole dried larvae marketed as chicken feed), while others replace part of the soy or fishmeal with insect meal.
Insect protein is also sold as a treat: for instance, jars of dried mealworms or pellet-shaped BSF cakes.
In short, you’ll find insect-based feed as live larvae (wormeries), dried larvae (pellets, cakes, or treats), or ground insect flour included in regular feed mixes.
Backyarders might scatter live mealworms on bedding or mix powdered insect meal into mash. No matter the form, the goal is to deliver bug nutrition in a stable form.
Is Insect or Bug-Based Feed Safe for Chickens?
Yes – when produced and used correctly, insect feed is generally safe and often healthier than the alternatives. Trials have found no adverse effects from feeding insects.
For example, research feeding broilers up to 55% black soldier fly meal found “no adverse effects on body weight gain, carcass composition, and sensory qualities”.
Chickens appear to thrive on diets rich in insects. An expert review concluded that feeding locusts, maggots, crickets, or grasshoppers to chickens is “safe” and does not harm meat quality.
Commercial insect farms also rear bugs in controlled conditions (as the USDA notes, these species are highly disease-resistant when appropriately farmed).
That said, caution is needed. The main risks are contaminants in the insects: for instance, if bugs are raised on toxic or spoiled substrate, or if the feed is infested with pathogens.
Always source insect feed from reputable suppliers. Avoid giving birds insects collected from pesticide-sprayed lawns, as those chemicals can accumulate in bugs.
Similarly, if you purchase bulk grain feed and find it infested with mites or rodents, it is unsafe; industry experts advise against feeding mite-contaminated grain to animals.
Grain mites can carry allergens and germs that harm chickens. In short, clean, processed insect meal is safe, but ensure that the feed is fresh and uncontaminated.
Another safety note: not all insects are benign. Chickens instinctively avoid known toxic bugs; for example, they steer clear of blister beetles (which contain deadly cantharidin).
Still, always supervise free-range birds to prevent them from gobbling potentially poisonous insects (or plants).
And treat insect feed as a supplement: too many fatty mealworms can make hens overweight, so keep live or dried insect treats to roughly 5–10% of the total diet.
This ensures hens enjoy the benefits of bugs without nutritional imbalance.
Sustainability and Environmental Benefits of Chicken Feed With Bugs
Switching to insect-based feed has significant environmental benefits. Insects can be raised on food or farm waste, recycling nutrients that would otherwise be lost.
For example, black soldier fly farms utilize kitchen scraps and manure as larval feed, converting waste into a valuable protein source.
This upcycling reduces reliance on arable land and fresh water. Research shows “insects exert minimal pressure on land, water, and energy resources” compared to traditional feed crops.
One industry leader notes BSF can produce “more than 1,000 times the protein per acre as compared to beef, poultry, and soy”, while using similar or lower feed inputs.
And unlike large soy or corn farms, insect farms use essentially no extra water (the bugs get moisture from their feed).
The environmental case continues beyond just feed conversion. Insect farming emits far fewer greenhouse gases than livestock or intensive soy fields.
The leftover insect frass (excrement plus shed skins) is a high-quality organic fertilizer, improving soil health without synthetic chemicals.
Because raising insects doesn’t require plowing large fields or heavy irrigation, it spares ecosystems.
Even the pet food industry is taking notice: U.S. pet owners are increasingly accepting insect-based dog and cat foods as “sustainable protein” alternatives, suggesting broad support for this approach.
In summary, feeding bugs to chickens not only mimics their natural diet, it also closes nutrient loops and reduces the carbon and water footprint of poultry feed.
Cost Comparison and Accessibility
Currently, insect feeds are a niche item and tend to be more expensive than standard grain or soy feeds.
One report finds that BSF protein costs about 5–6 times more than soybean meal by weight. At today’s prices, switching poultry to BSF-heavy feed could make eggs or meat roughly 50% more expensive.
In practical terms, you might pay several dollars per pound for 100% insect pellets versus ~$0.30–$0.50 per pound for conventional feed.
However, costs are coming down. A Kenyan trial found that including BSF larvae meal in feed reduced overall feed cost and increased profitability.
In that study, partially replacing soybean/fish meal with BSF meal reduced feed expenses by ~16% and increased the return on investment by ~25%.
This happens because insects can use cheaper waste inputs, and chickens efficiently convert them into weight.
As production scales up, many experts predict insect feed prices will fall. Larger insect farms, investment capital, and regulatory approval (see sidebar) will help.
For backyard farmers, insect-based feed options are still limited but growing. You can already buy treat products (dried mealworms, crickets, BSF pellets) at farm stores or online.
A few chicken feed brands have launched blends: for example, Grubbly Farms (US) sells Fresh Pecks layer feed made with 100% sustainably harvested BSF grubs, claiming it gives hens “35% more protein than steak” and “50× more calcium than mealworms”.
Similarly, a product called RBUGR offers a 100% BSF chicken feed pellet, noting it contains 53.8% protein to boost egg production.
These are still novel purchases, but availability is increasing (Amazon and major coop suppliers now stock BSF and mealworm products).
In short, insect feeds currently cost a premium, but improved formulas can boost efficiency, and broader adoption is steadily making them more accessible.
How to Transition to a Bug-Based Feed For Chickens?
Introducing insects into your flock’s diet should be done gradually. Here are some steps to follow:
- Start Small – Begin by adding a few insect treats (e.g., a handful of mealworms or black soldier fly larvae) a couple of times a week. Monitor how your chickens respond.
- Mix into Regular Feed – Once they’re eager, try stirring some insect meal or dried larvae into their regular feed. Initially, aim for insects to provide approximately 5–10% of the total diet. In research, even modest inclusion (around 12% of the soybean component) improved broiler growth.
- Watch Ratios – Ensure the overall ratio stays balanced. If using fatty insects like mealworms, limit the quantity (they can be calorie-dense). Use insects to replace part of the protein (such as soy or fishmeal) rather than all grains. Gradually, you can increase to higher levels – trials have safely used up to ~40–50% insect meal in broiler diets.
- Observe Flock Health – As you transition, keep a close eye on egg production, shell quality, and weight gain. Many farmers have observed improved eggshell strength and feather gloss in their birds when adding calcium and protein to insect-based feeds. Any sign of digestive upset or feed refusal suggests backing off.
- Provide Proper Form – If using live insects, they must always be fresh. For dried or meal feeds, ensure they are stored in a dry and fresh condition. Mix well so every bird has a chance.
By taking it slow and monitoring your hens’ health, you can make a smooth transition. In short, think of insects as an upgrade to your feed, not an abrupt replacement – chickens generally appreciate the variety once they adjust.
Best Brands of Chicken Feed With Bugs
A few specialty brands have begun to fill the niche for insect feed in backyard flocks. Grubbly Farms (based in New York) offers Fresh Pecks and other feeds made with oven-dried black soldier fly larvae.
They advertise that their BSF grub feed mix boosts nutrition (e.g., “rich in protein and calcium”) and sustainability.
Their brochures proudly note BSF grubs deliver “35% more protein than steak” and extra calcium to strengthen eggshells.
Another example is RBUGR (available on Amazon and at farm stores), a brand that sells dried black soldier fly larvae in pellet form.
The RBUGR Chicken Feed product listing advertises it as a “high protein (53.8%)” feed that supports larger eggs and stronger shells. It’s essentially 100% dried black soldier fly (BSF) grubs shaped into feed.
Beyond BSF, some retailers sell pure mealworms or crickets as high-protein treats (though these are usually labeled as treats rather than complete feed).
Shops like Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm (US) offer live mealworms you can supplement into any feed.
As of 2025, no major feed company (like Purina or McCanns) sells insect-only feeds.
However, farms that provide insect products to feed manufacturers (e.g., EnviroFlight, which just opened a giant BSF facility in Kentucky) are laying the groundwork.
Expect more companies and co-ops to introduce insect-augmented feeds as regulations evolve. Currently, dedicated bug-based feeds are sourced from niche suppliers, local farm stores, or online marketplaces.
DIY Ideas: Growing Your Chicken Bugs
Creative keepers can raise their feed insects at home. Popular DIY methods include:
- Mealworm Farm: Use a plastic bin or drawer with edible bedding, such as oats, bran, or chicken feed. Add slices of potato, carrot, or apple for moisture. Provide hiding places (egg cartons or cardboard) since mealworms like dark spaces. Keep the bin at a warm temperature (~75–80°F) for rapid breeding. You can start with just a couple thousand worms (some kits sell starter cultures). Over weeks, they will breed into beetles that lay more worms, giving a steady supply.
- Black Soldier Fly Bin: BSF larvae thrive on compost. Simply collect kitchen scraps (fruit peels, vegetable trimmings, non-meat waste) in a bin and place it where adult BSF flies can access to lay eggs. Ensure good airflow and warmth. The larvae will appear as maggots and quickly consume the waste, growing to ~1 inch long. Every few days, you can harvest hundreds of fat larvae to feed chickens (the adult flies are non-biting and don’t transmit disease). Key tip: BSF can be raised on many waste streams and requires very little added water.
- Earthworms: If you have a compost pile or raised bed, you likely already have earthworms. Chickens love earthworms pulled from rich soil or worm bins. You can intentionally vermicompost food scraps (along with bedding) and scoop out the worms for an occasional treat. Earthworms are beneficial because they are easy to raise with kitchen scraps. (Be mindful: if your compost feedstock has heavy metals or salts, those could accumulate in worms.)
- Other Bugs: Some backyard keepers attempt to raise crickets or locusts. These require cages and warm conditions. Crickets eat grain, so you turn a cupboard bug problem into chicken feed. Alternatively, you can sometimes harvest wild insects: picking grasshoppers from the garden or encouraging beneficial larvae in the yard. Any safe, non-toxic insect from outside is fair game for the chickens.
In all cases, you’re converting waste or effort into protein. As one DIY beekeeper noted, “you can feed them kitchen scraps to produce free chicken treats”.
It’s part hobby, part farm engineering. Plus, you’ll see how intensely your chickens love eating whatever larvae you raise – often they are the first to find and gobble up each new batch.
Common Concerns and FAQs
My chicken feed has bugs in it – is it bad?
Don’t panic if you find some insects in your feed. Chickens will usually eat them as an extra source of protein. Common pantry pests (weevils, grain beetles, or maggots) are not toxic and will be consumed by hens. In that sense, “bugs on chicken feed” usually means “free treats.” However, a heavy infestation can spoil feed quality. For example, grain mites thrive in damp conditions; experts advise not feeding mite-infested grain to animals because it can harbor allergens or germs. So, small adult pests aren’t a disaster – sweep them in. But if the bag is crawling with tiny mites (a dusty cloud when opened), it’s safer to discard or clean the feeder and store new feed properly.
What kind of bugs get on chickens?
If you mean external pests, the usual culprits are mites and lice (tiny bugs that live on feathers or skin). Common types are northern fowl mites and chicken lice. These are different from the feeder insects we’re discussing – they’re parasites that require treatment. On the flip side, chickens will eat many bugs they catch on their bodies: they’ll snap up fleas, ticks, or flies they encounter. When it comes to feed, the term “bugs on chicken feed” generally refers to storage pests (weevils, mealworm beetles, etc.). As noted, those are not harmful to the birds themselves, though they may indicate old or damp feed.
Is chicken feed with bugs nasty for the eggs or meat?
No clear evidence indicates that insect feed makes eggs or meat unsafe or makes them taste odd. Studies replacing soybean/fishmeal with black soldier fly meal found no difference in meat quality or flavor. Chickens that eat bugs tend to produce eggs that are typically stronger, often with better shell strength. There’s no need to worry that insect protein will taint your eggs. (As always, ensure insects haven’t eaten toxic substances.)
Can I also feed my cat or dog an insect-based feed?
Interestingly, insect-based pet food is emerging in the USA. Some brands now offer insect-based cat food or dog kibble, touting it as hypoallergenic and sustainable. The principles of safety and nutrition are similar. If you’re curious about insects in animal diets, you could even try an insect-based dog treat on your pets. However, remember that poultry and carnivore nutritional needs differ: cats require taurine, which is found in meat. For chickens, the insect proteins and nutrients they naturally seek are delicate for them, though not a complete cat diet.
How do I keep insects in feed from becoming a problem?
The best approach is good storage: keep feed in cool, dry conditions, use it up quickly, and clean feeders between refills. This minimizes mite and weevil outbreaks. If you raise insects yourself (such as mealworm bins or BSF compost), avoid mold by providing fresh bedding and avoiding rotten feedstock. Chickens should not eat dead or decaying insects (always use fresh live or properly dried bugs). Other than that, a few larvae now and then are fine.
Won’t insects make my feed unsanitary?
Not really. Cooked or dried insect meals are usually pasteurized or heated, so they don’t introduce new pathogens. In the wild, free-range chickens eat bugs that have been in dirt and under leaves – they handle that well. Just treat insects like any raw protein: keep them clean and store them safely.
Final Thoughts
Insect-based chicken feed is more than a fad – it reconnects our backyard flocks with a natural, nutritious food source.
As the evidence shows, bugs can boost protein intake, improve eggshell quality, and even enhance chicken immune health.
They also contribute to sustainability: by recycling waste into feed, we lighten the load on conventional agriculture.
For small-scale farmers, adding insects (via treats or meal blends) is a relatively low-cost way to upgrade a flock’s diet.
That said, insect feeds are still evolving. They must be integrated thoughtfully (balanced with grains and vegetables) and sourced from reputable suppliers.
Storage hygiene remains vital to avoid unwanted pests. But if you’ve ever hesitated, remember: your hens instinctively crave bugs.
Whether you buy a commercial BSF feed blend or hand out home-grown mealworms, you’re essentially feeding them their favorite food.
As more research and products emerge, chicken feed with bugs will likely become routine, especially for free-range flocks.
By understanding the pros, the prices, and the precautions, you can decide how best to include insects in your chickens’ diet.
In the meantime, don’t be surprised if your hens gobble up those grubs – it’s just them being happy, healthy chickens.
