If you've ever wondered what insects chickens can eat, the good news is that your flock is built to hunt them. Chickens are natural omnivores and foragers, and bugs are some of the most protein- and calcium-rich treats you can offer. Knowing the safe insects for chickens—and which bugs to avoid—lets you boost flock health while giving your hens the busy, scratch-and-peck day they crave.
Short answer: The best bugs for chickens include earthworms, mealworms, crickets and grasshoppers, black soldier fly larvae, ants, beetles, and slugs and snails. Offer them as treats—kept to under about 10% of the diet—and always source them from pesticide-free areas.
Foraging for insects does more than feed your hens. Scratching through leaves, straw, or compost to uncover a tasty bug mimics natural behavior, keeps birds active, and is exactly the kind of enrichment that happens out in the run or yard—because real chicken living happens outside, not shut inside the coop. The coop is just for roosting at night and laying eggs; the daytime action belongs in the run.
Foraging tip: Avoid feeding insects from a dish or bowl. Instead, scatter them in piles of straw, leaves, or compost so your hens have to work for the reward.
Here are seven safe and beneficial insects you can add to your flock's diet.
1. Earthworms
Earthworms are a top indicator of healthy soil. Abundant in most yards, they turn up whenever you dig—and your chickens will come running.
- Nutritional benefit: Rich in protein, the amino acid lysine, and long-chain fatty acids that pass into eggs and enhance their nutritional value.
- How to offer it: Let hens dig them up while you garden, or source them from compost bins, under plant pots, or garden soil. You can also start a worm bin to raise your own.
2. Mealworms
A flock favorite, mealworms are high in protein and easy to raise at home—which is why "can chickens eat mealworms?" is one of the most common questions backyard keepers ask. The answer is yes, in moderation.
- Nutritional benefit: Support feather health (especially during the molt) and help keep egg production steady thanks to their high protein content.
- How to offer it: Scatter a small handful as a treat. Live mealworms are great and are available at pet and bait stores; if you buy dried mealworms, choose a reputable US supplier. Keep mealworms a treat, not a meal.
3. Crickets and Grasshoppers
These protein-packed bugs are easy to digest and especially loved by free-ranging chickens that hunt them down in the grass.
- Nutritional benefit: Lean protein that supports energy, immunity, and overall vitality.
- How to offer it: Let hens catch them in meadows or untreated grassland, or buy live ones from a reptile pet store (they can be pricey, so use sparingly).
4. Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Calciworms)
Also called calciworms, black soldier fly larvae are remarkably rich in calcium—many times more than mealworms—making them a standout treat for laying hens.
- Nutritional benefit: The high calcium content supports strong eggshells and bone health, and they add omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to eggs.
- How to offer it: Buy dried or live larvae from a US insect-farming supplier, or raise your own. A small pinch goes a long way.
5. Ants
Small but mighty, ants are a great natural source of protein and healthy fats—and chasing them down is great foraging exercise.
- Nutritional benefit: Provide protein and fat while encouraging busy, natural foraging.
- How to offer it: Let hens find them in the yard. Caution: Never let your flock eat fire ants—their stings are harmful to chickens.
6. Beetles
Beetles such as June bugs and darkling beetles are nutritious and often already present around the yard and run.
- Nutritional benefit: Protein plus calcium from their hard exoskeletons, and a bonus of natural pest control as hens hunt them.
- How to offer it: Let hens forage for them naturally. Caution: Make sure beetles haven't been exposed to pesticides or lawn chemicals.
7. Slugs and Snails
Round out the list with slugs and snails—soft-bodied garden dwellers that chickens hunt eagerly, and a handy way to keep these pests off your plants.
- Nutritional benefit: A moist source of protein, and snail shells add a little extra calcium for laying hens.
- How to offer it: Let hens forage them straight from damp, untreated areas of the yard. Caution: Only from areas free of slug or snail bait, which is toxic to poultry.
Bugs and Foods to Avoid
Not every bug or scrap is safe. As a general rule, steer your flock clear of:
- Fire ants and any stinging or biting insects.
- Any insect from sprayed areas—pesticides, herbicides, and slug bait can poison chickens that eat contaminated bugs.
- Ticks and large hard-shelled pests in excess, which are tough on the crop.
- Moldy, spoiled, or rotting matter, plus common toxic kitchen foods like avocado pits and skins, raw or dried beans, chocolate, and anything very salty.
If a bird seems unwell after eating something, contact your vet or a qualified poultry specialist—this article offers general feeding guidance only.
Moderation: Keep Treats Under About 10% of the Diet
Insects are a supplement, not a meal. A complete layer feed should make up roughly 90% of what your hens eat, with treats—including bugs—kept to about 10% or less. Too many high-protein or high-fat insects can throw off that balance and lead to overweight birds or runny droppings. Used in moderation, insects deliver real nutritional perks and a lot of foraging fun. For more on building a balanced menu, see our guides to alternative chicken diets with grains, seeds, and natural feeds and what to feed your hens for high-quality eggs.
Where Foraging Really Happens: The Run and Yard
All this bug-hunting is a reminder of how chickens are meant to live. Hens spend their daylight hours outside—scratching, dust-bathing, stretching, and foraging—and only head into the coop to roost at night and lay eggs. The coop is their bedroom; the run or yard is their living space. When you plan your setup, put the space budget into a generous run (aim for 8–10+ sq ft per bird) where insects, leaves, and compost give your flock plenty to do. A well-designed, secure, easy-clean coop like the Nestera chicken coop keeps birds safe and dry at night, while the run is where the real living happens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What insects can chickens eat safely?
Chickens can safely eat earthworms, mealworms, crickets, grasshoppers, black soldier fly larvae (calciworms), ants, beetles, and slugs and snails—provided the bugs come from pesticide-free areas and are offered as treats rather than a full meal.
Can chickens eat mealworms every day?
Mealworms are a healthy, protein-rich treat, but they shouldn't be a daily staple. Keep them and other treats to about 10% of the diet so a complete layer feed still provides the bulk of your flock's nutrition.
What bugs should chickens avoid?
Avoid fire ants and other stinging insects, any bugs from areas treated with pesticides or slug bait, and large hard-shelled pests in excess. When in doubt, leave it out.
Are insects good for egg-laying hens?
Yes. Protein supports feather and overall health, while calcium-rich insects like black soldier fly larvae help build strong eggshells—so the right bugs, in moderation, can complement a good layer feed.
Give Your Flock Room to Forage
Safe insects are one of the simplest ways to enrich your chickens' day and boost their nutrition naturally. Pair that foraging with the right setup: a secure, easy-clean Nestera chicken coop for roosting and laying, and a spacious run where your hens can scratch, peck, and hunt bugs the way nature intended. For more feeding know-how, explore the different types of feed for your chickens.
