FEATURE
Nutritional Benefits of Black Soldier Fly Grubs
For backyard chicken keepers who traditionally rely on mealworms, switching to black soldier fly grubs can offer significant nutritional advantages for their flock.
Calcium Content: Eggshells comprise over 90 % calcium, which is also crucial for bone growth and development and helps activate enzymes in the gut. Black soldier fly grubs contain about 1.5 % calcium by weight, significantly higher than mealworms’ 0.03 %. Calcium to Phosphorus Ratio: Black soldier fly grubs boast an ideal 2:1 calcium to phosphorus ratio, compared to mealworms’ 0.33:1. Adequate phosphorus is essential for chickens to fully utilize calcium and aids in the digestion of fats and proteins. A deficiency in phosphorus can lead to soft eggshells.
Lysine: An essential amino acid, lysine plays a crucial role in protein synthesis. Black soldier fly grubs have an average lysine content of around 6.8 %, compared to mealworms’ 3.95 %.
Methionine: This limiting amino acid is vital for digestive tract development, muscle growth, feather health and egg production. Black soldier fly grubs contain approximately 2.1 % methionine, exceeding mealworms’ 0.8 %.
BSFL Can Act as a Molting Supplement
Molting is an essential natural cycle in which chickens regularly shed old, damaged or dirty feathers to make way for fresh plumage. This process is vital as it allows chickens to replace worn-out feathers, which is crucial for staying warm in chilly conditions.
Molting typically begins around 18 months and occurs annually afterward( younger birds will experience a molt in the first month to replace their down with feathers). This process typically occurs in the fall.
Protein-rich treats should be provided during the molting season, but they should only make up about 10 % of their diet. Some examples of high-protein treats in addition to grubs include sunflower seeds or other nuts( raw and unsalted), peas, soybeans, meat( cooked), cod liver oil or bone meal.
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