Feeding chickens live maggots idea??

[Viking84]

i live on a 60 acre lake. At the end of my dock I have a gallon coffee can suspended a few feet above the water. I have holes punched around the bottom of the can. When I go fishing, I will put all the fish heads and guts into the can. Within 1-3 days depending on the temperature, maggots build up in the can and begin to crawl out of the holes and fall into the water, making a self sustaining fish feeder. Really keeps the fish hanging out around my dock. I am thinking of doing the same thing for the chickens. Anyone ever heard of any negatives about chickens eating maggots?

 

[Chickassan]

Yes, botulism is a big negative.

 

[Viking84]

Good to know. I saw an Alaskan homestead show where a man hung a dead Wolf that he had skinned, up inside his chicken run for the chickens to eat the maggots that fell from the dead carcass. Guess it was just reality tv show garbage.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Lots of poultry keepers use maggot buckets for their flocks. One possible downside is smell, depending on how you set it up and location relative to your house or enjoyable outdoor spaces.

 

[aart]

Yes, botulism is a big negative.

Is it guaranteed?

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

Welcome to byc!! Glad you could join the Flock! Let me know if you need anything! i prefer not to feed my chickens anything i wouldn't want in my eggs, but it is a preference.

 

[Chickassan]

Nope, just a risk up to the flock owner whether they take it or not.
Good to be aware of it reguardless in case the risk was taken and it did occur.

Is it guaranteed?

 

[Ms Clucky]

I think maggots are a good treat. It's the mold that is not. That will kill them fast.

 

[sassysarah]

I've never given my chickens maggots, but I don't see why they wouldn't be able to have them....they eat every other kind of insect...

 

[aart]

Nope, just a risk up to the flock owner whether they take it or not.
Good to be aware of it reguardless in case the risk was taken and it did occur.

True Dat!

It's the mold that is not.

"Botulism is a serious illness caused by the botulinum toxin. The toxin causes paralysis. Paralysis starts in the face and spreads to the limbs. If it reaches the breathing muscles, respiratory failure can result. The toxin is produced by Clostridium botulinum (C. botulinum), a type of bacterium."