If you’re someone who enjoys nice and juicy sauteed chicken steaks for dinner, and you have chicken in your backyard, there’s a chance you may be raising your chickens for their meat. In this case, your chickens - whether male or female - are called broilers.

Understandably, everyone raising broiler chickens wants their birds to be healthy throughout their life.

There are a few things you can do to improve chicken health and make them ‘meatier while healthier’. A great way to do so is by incorporating Black Soldier Fly treats into their feed. 

So, without further ado, let’s talk about how BSF treats boosts growth and survival for broiler chickens.

Improved Weight Gain 

Supplementing with Black Soldier Flies is a simple way to incorporate animal protein and healthy fats into your chickens’ diet. 

When protein enters their bodies, it is broken down into amino acids. 

These amino acids, together with proteins, are the ‘building blocks of life’. This is because they form new bones, muscles, skin and cartilage. They also repair damaged tissues, help digestion, and ensure an efficient supply of oxygen to different body parts.

… Leading To Boosted Growth

Packing more muscle on top of a more solid base (skeletal system) leads to not just weight gain but a weight gain which is healthy for the chicken. Additional muscle mass will also wake up the appetite and increase metabolism. 

Increased Immunity 

BSF treats contain a range of essentials for chickens. Two of these are zinc and copper.

Zinc is known to be efficient in helping chickens fight off germs, including various bacteria, fungi and viruses. 

On the other hand, copper slows down the progression of these pathogens.

Taken together, zinc and copper help chicken bodies to resist disease-causing germs.

… Leading To Boosted Survival

As a result of increased resistance to germs, your broiler chickens’ survival rates are boosted considerably.

They are less likely to contract a disease in the first place. In case they do, they are in a better position to fight it off and not succumb to it. This owes to the increased immunity built through the nutrients present in BSF treats.

Increased Resistance To Diseases

Iron plays a role in the formation of haemoglobin. Haemoglobin helps in transporting oxygen to the organs in your chickens’ bodies. If a deficiency of iron occurs, a condition called anaemia results. 

BSF contains a healthy amount of iron, hence helping to prevent this disease.

Additionally, the ample supply of calcium chickens get from Black Soldier Flies leads to stronger bones. As a result, they have a lesser likelihood of developing bone-related diseases like osteoporosis.

Inevitably, not contracting such conditions leads to better growth and survival rates.

FAQs

Are the above findings backed by evidence?

Yes, researchers in the US conducted an experiment to observe the effect of incorporating Black Soldier Fly Larvae into chickens’ feed. The results showed that these chickens had boosted growth and survival compared to chickens raised on commercial feed. 

Can I use BSF for other birds, like ducks, turkeys and geese, as well?

Absolutely. BSF feed is a great source of nutrition for poultry.

Can I mix BSF larvae with other food?

Although BSF can be used on its own, mixing BSF larvae with grains and vegetables is a great way to mix and match nutrients and form a healthy and delicious meal.

Conclusion

Chickens are not picky eaters; they’ll eat whatever they get their beak on. But to ensure optimal growth and increased survival rates for your broiler chickens (and chickens in general), you should closely monitor their diet and offer them nutritious snacks to munch on.

One such snack which can also be used as a meal when mixed with other feed or as a supplement - is Black Soldier Flies. Your chickens will thank you for it, and if you are raising broiler chickens, you will taste the difference also. Healthy chickens are happy chickens!

Your feathery friends, and their adorable little ducklings, running about in your backyard garden is a precious sight to behold. To make the most out of this view and also derive maximum benefits from your ducks, it is vital to keep them active, happy, and healthy.

In this article, we’ll focus in particular on the benefits of supplementing your ducks diet with a “super-treat”, a not-so-secret but not-used-frequently-enough ingredient: Black Soldier Fly meals. Trust us, your ducks will love it!        

BSF meals are especially important for ducks that do not get to munch on insects often. For example, birds that spend a lot of time in their coop do not get a chance to forage for insects. As a substitute, they can be fed Black Soldier Fly Larvae, which gives them the animal protein they require.

If you’re considering BSF for your ducks, follow us through this article as we guide you through its numerous health benefits.

More Energetic Ducks

If your ducks are acting lazier than usual and simply lacking their ‘happy quack’, they may be low on energy. To lift their spirits and bring back the energy, try incorporating a few handfuls of Black Soldier Fly Larvae. If nutrient deficiency was the issue, you should see their vigor restoring in just a few days. 

This effect is often observed because of the caloric and nutritive boost BSF provide.With around 40-45% protein and 20-25% fat by dry weight, BSF are the some of the most, if not the most nutritious yet natural treats your ducks can have. 

Faster Growth And Improved Metabolism

There’s another benefit of the full amino acid protein profile of BSF. When protein enters your ducks’ bodies, it is broken down into individual amino acids. These amino acids keep your ducks healthy by repairing and restoring damaged muscles and cells. In addition, it boosts their metabolic rates, that is, the pace at which your ducks convert food to energy.

BSF treats also contain magnesium. This micro-nutrient is important for metabolism and ensures growth at optimal rates and helps their bodies to function normally.

Stronger Skeletons

Black Soldier Fly treats contain phosphorus, in optimal calcium to phosphorus ratio. Phosphorus is essential for the efficient and rapid growth of the skeleton. Hence, BSF meals contribute towards solid and sturdy structures.

Strong Bones And Better Feathers

BSF meals also provide ducks with zinc and calcium. These nutrients help ducks form strong bones and better feathers. Plus, zinc plays an essential role in enzyme formation.

Increased Immunity

The zinc present in BSF meals helps the duck’s immune system fight off pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. Additionally, they also contain copper, which slows down the growth of micro-organisms. Both of these factors taken together contribute to increased immunity and a lesser likelihood of contracting diseases. Supreme Grubs black soldier flies were fed on probiotic rich feed which means that they contain certain postbiotics which can further boost the immune system.

Healthier Eggs

The calcium present in Black Soldier Fly meals is essential for ducks to lay better-quality eggs. With the right amount of calcium, all other things being at the optimal rate, you will get healthy, strong eggs, and in significant amounts! … I mean, who doesn’t appreciate a couple of extra eggs? 

Helps Prevent Conditions Like Anaemia And Rickets

Iron is used to build haemoglobin. Haemoglobin transports oxygen to all organs in duck bodies, hence supporting normal functioning. When a lack of haemoglobin occurs, a condition called ‘anaemia’ results, and the duck is believed to be anaemic. However, BSF meals contain the mineral iron, which ensures a steady supply of haemoglobin and prevents anaemia.

On top of that, a relatively high amount (as compared to mealworms) of calcium provided by Black Soldier Flies ensures that bone-related diseases like osteoporosis and rickets are avoided.

Conclusion

Black Soldier Fly treats make up for the missing insects in your ducks’ diets and provide a range of health benefits, as listed in this article. Moreover, ducks fed on nutrients present in BSF have increased energy levels and improved health compared to ducks deprived of them. Supplementing with BSF is a great and simple way to incorporate animal protein into their diet - and a way which is sustainable for the environment and has a much better nutritive profile as compared to competing treats.

Chickens are low maintenance, easy-to-keep birds that make your backyard space fun and provide multiple benefits, including a fresh supply of eggs. 

But when your feathery friends fall sick, it can get distressing. Seeing the once healthy and happy birds acting lazy and low-spirited isn’t the best sight to behold. However, that’s not much of an issue - you can treat most problems at home all by yourself.

So, let’s talk about the top 4 chicken health problems and how to fix them.

Problem #1: Foot Injuries

Chickens run around and cluck till they exhaust themselves and call it a day - it’s their way of having fun. 

But by running here and there, they may develop cuts or other minor injuries on their feet. Though these alone aren’t a problem, they may worsen into infections and hurt them. If pus fills the infection, a condition called Bumblefoot may develop.

How Can I Tell If My Chicken Has A Foot Injury?

Injured chickens spend more time sitting around. When they try to walk, they are unable to put weight on the injured foot. Plus, they act lazy and generally out of sorts.

How Can I Treat A Foot Injury?

You should always keep an eye out for cuts on the feet. If you spot one, wash it with an antiseptic wound wash and slightly bandage it. This will prevent the cut from developing into a more serious infection.

If an infection has already formed, you can cover it with an antibiotic before bandaging. In case the problem doesn’t go away, your chicken may need medical attention to get any pus removed.

Problem #2: Egg-laying issues

One of the most common health problems in chickens is related to egg-laying. And if you’re someone who whips up an omelette for breakfast everyday, you know how upsetting it can be when you’re not getting your supply. 

Chickens usually face egg-laying issues because of stress, certain deficiencies in their diet, and infections. To treat the problem, it’s important to diagnose it by looking out for the right symptoms.

Here’s What To Observe

Take it as a red-flag if your chickens are experiencing the following symptoms:

• Trembling wings
• Lazier than usual and reluctant to move around
• Reduced appetite
• Experiencing weakness
• Unusual droppings

How To Bring Back Those Eggs

To improve the situation, you can incorporate sufficient amounts of calcium and protein into your chickens’ diet. An efficient source of these two essentials is Black Soldier Fly Larvae; they provide a variety of nutrients along with calcium and protein to improve your poultry’s health.

In addition, you can supplement their diet with oyster shells and multivitamins.

Problem #3: Picking One Another

Your chickens may start picking on each other’s skin and feathers. If they get a taste of blood, the problem can worsen since chickens are drawn towards the color red. 

The best way to avoid this problem is by not letting it happen in the first place. Here’s how you can do so:

• Use a large coop. Overcrowding is one of the most prominent triggers of this cannibalistic behavior in chickens - when they fight for space, they often end up picking on each other.
• Give them enough food and water. Again, this can instigate them to fight amongst one another.
• Do not mix aggressive breeds with your flock.
• Keep injured birds away from the coop.
• Try to reduce stress levels in your chickens.
• Use an appropriate source of lighting; often too much light can instigate chickens to pick on others.

Problem #4: Diseases

Your backyard chickens can contract various diseases. These can be due to certain bacteria, fungi, viruses or parasites. Although some diseases are treatable at home, more severe ones may require a visit to an avian pet.

Chicken Mites

Mites are small insects that suck your chickens’ blood. The most common symptoms of these are red spots on your chickens’ skin. 

To treat them, you can use insecticides, such as permethrin or mite sprays. Plus, you can sanitize your chicken coop to protect the other birds and prevent mites from reoccurring in the future.

Avian Flu

Just like you can catch a cold, so can your feathery friends. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing and nasal discharge. Luckily, the solution is easy - get your chickens vaccinated, and they’ll be good to go.

Ringworm

Ringworm is a fungal disease that your chickens can contract. Its visible symptom is the formation of a white, thick layer on their combs. But ringworm is nothing to worry about; it usually heals on its own.

However, you can prevent most diseases in the first place by avoiding overcrowding, adopting sanitary practices and feeding them nutritious, healthy diets.

Conclusion

Your chickens keep your backyard lively and cheerful with their clucks and footprints. Understandably, seeing them ill and lethargic can be sad! 

In this article we listed down the most common problems with chickens and provided easy solutions you can implement to solve them.