Chickens are omnivores and natural foragers, which means they enjoy a wide variety of foods—including insects. These protein-rich creatures offer essential nutrients that support overall chicken health.

Allowing chickens to forage for insects not only meets their nutritional needs but also enhances their mental well-being. The act of scratching through leaves or compost to uncover tasty treats mimics their natural behavior, keeping them active and engaged.

Tip: Avoid feeding insects from a dish or bowl. Instead, scatter them in piles of straw, leaves, or compost to encourage natural foraging. 

Here are seven safe and beneficial insects you can include in your flock’s diet:

1. Earthworms 

Earthworms are a top natural indicator of soil health. Abundant in gardens, they’re often spotted when digging—and chickens will come running!

• Benefit: Rich in protein, lysine, and long-chain fatty acids, which pass into eggs, enhancing their nutritional value.
  
  

• Source: Found in compost bins, under plant pots, or in garden soil. You can also start a wormery to farm your own.
  

2. Mealworms 

A favourite treat among chickens, mealworms are high in protein and easy to farm at home.

• Benefit: Promote feather health and increase egg production.
  
  

• Source: Live mealworms are best (available at pet or bait stores). Avoid dried mealworms in the UK, as they’re banned due to unsanitary production.
  

3. Crickets and Grasshoppers 

These protein-packed insects are easy to digest and especially loved by free-ranging chickens.

• Benefit: Boost energy, immunity, and overall vitality.
  
  

• Source: Found in meadows or untreated grasslands. You can also buy live ones at reptile pet stores—but they can be expensive.
  
  

4. Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Calciworms) 

Also known as calciworms, these larvae are incredibly rich in calcium—23 times more than mealworms!

• Benefit: Improve eggshell strength, support bone health, and boost omega-3 and omega-6 content in eggs.
  
  

• Source: Buy from insect farming services like Econourish, or try raising your own.
  
  

5. Ants 

Small but mighty, ants are a great source of protein and healthy fats for chickens.

• Benefit: Encourage natural foraging while offering protein and fat.
  
  

• Caution: Never feed fire ants—they’re harmful to chickens.
  
  

• Source: Easily found in most gardens or yards.
  
  

6. Beetles 

Beetles like June bugs and darkling beetles are nutritious and often already present in farm environments.

• Benefit: Provide protein and calcium from their exoskeletons and help control unwanted insect populations.
  
  

• Caution: Ensure beetles haven’t been exposed to pesticides or chemicals.
  
  

Important Note

Always ensure insects come from pesticide-free areas. Insects should supplement a balanced poultry diet—not replace it. When used properly, they enhance both the nutrition and happiness of your flock through natural foraging.