Feeding chickens neocardina shrimp

[MarlaMac]

Hello,

I was wondering about feeding my chickens neocardina shrimp. Long story short, purchased what was suppose to be amano shrimp for my aquarium which do not breed in fresh water. Instead what I got were neocardina shirmp - wild red cherry shrimp - which breed prolifically and my tank has an over abundance of them. They are basically a small < 0.5 inches when fully grown, fresh water shrimp.

The nearest fish store from me that will take them is about 110 miles away. I hate to kill them just to kill them, so I was wondering if they could be a once in a while treat for my chickens. I would cull them about once a month.

Any thoughts? My aquarium is clean, healthy and disease free. It does have some algae like all aquariums.

Thanks.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I think they will be a much appreciated treat. The only possible issue would be from too much salt but not likely an issue there either.

 

[MarlaMac]

I think they will be a much appreciated treat. The only possible issue would be from too much salt but not likely an issue there either.

Shouldn't have any salt unless their bodies generate salt. These are freshwater shrimp.

 

[nuthatched]

I'd say that they be a great treat! I wonder if shrimp farming is easier than mealworms?

 

[MarlaMac]

I'd say that they be a great treat! I wonder if shrimp farming is easier than mealworms?

I don't know. Never did mealworms - but have have to do absolutely NOTHING (outside of keeping my aquarium stable for my fish) for these shrimp to procreate. I bet I have at least 200 in my tank - started with five about 6 months ago. They eat whatever they can find that my fish don't scavenge up; they even keep the aquarium clean, if you know what I mean.

You can keep quite a lot of shrimp in a small tank. They even require less maintenance than a regular aquarium, so I have read.

 

[TooCheep]

Should be fine as a supplement. Give 'em a few. I bet they'll love the change of pace. Just keep them as a small percentage of their over all feed (< 10%).

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

Agree it should be fine. Please report back on how it goes...this may be an alternate to mealworms for folks who want to give their flock a home grown treat.

 

[aart]

@MarlaMac Tropical(heated) tank?

 

[ShaunJ421]

I was looking into feeding my chickens krill. For higher omega-3, and darker orange yolk. I used to feed it to my saltwater fish, for them to keep their vibrant colors. But I know even krill isn't cheap. I'm wondering what, if any, the omega-3 content is in those shrimp you have. I love aquariums. And I really miss my saltwater fish tanks.

I was also looking into doing a Black Soldier Fly farm for treats. But that shrimp idea definitely sounds much easier. I have 15 chickens. And they have a bottomless pit for stomachs. LOL If I can cut costs without much more work, I'm definitely all for it!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Feed 'em shrimp. Being fresh water means you don't have to worry about excess salt, and animal proteins are complete, unlike most plant proteins. May help with yolk color, too.