One of the essentials to a happy and healthy flock is looking after its nutritional requirements. Providing your birds with the right food not only adds to their health but also maximizes the benefits they provide to you.

Generally, chickens and other domestic fowl forage for insects. But if your chickens spend most of the time in their coop, or your garden doesn’t host many insects, you may want to introduce insects to your poultry feed.

An efficient way of doing so is by incorporating dried black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) into your birds’ feed or as an occasional treat. In this article, we’ll provide an overview of the nutritional composition of BSF and why they are a great complement to your birds' diet.

What Does Black Soldier Fly Larvae contain?

Before we dive into the macro and micronutrients found in Black Soldier Fly Larvae, let us first have a look at what your backyard flock needs.

It’s All In The Nutrition

Just like us humans need a variety of nutrients, your feathery friends need them in optimum amounts as well. Two of the key nutrients which chickens need and BSFL supplies in ample quantities are protein and calcium.

Protein is composed of a chain of amino acids. These amino acids are crucial to the growth and long-term health of your chickens and ducks. Approximately 22 amino acids are required by your birds daily, with some of these being formed within their bodies, and others being obtained from their diet.

On the other hand, your birds need calcium to lay healthy, strong eggs. With a calcium-deficient diet, the eggs are likely to be soft and of low quality. Plus, the birds are more prone to diseases like rickets and osteoporosis (yes, your feathery friends can get these too!).

How Do BSF Larvae Help? - Nutrition Facts

Black Soldier Fly Larvae contain an ample amount of protein and calcium. 

According to a study, BSF larvae can contain up to 50% protein (in the form of Crude Protein) and amino acids similar to those present in a fishmeal. Flock owners would know that’s quite a sizeable amount!

On top of that, they contain an ample amount of calcium. This is because of the calcium carbonate embedded within their skeletons.

But those are not the only nutrients within a BSFL. Here are some of the other important nutrients present and also why they are important for your feathery fellows.

• Fat:

Fat is needed by your birds to help dissolve fat-soluble vitamins. Examples include vitamin A and E. Also, fat makes chicken feed more appetizing.

• Phosphorous:

Phosphorus helps chickens and ducks form a strong skeleton. Growing birds thus need it for their skeletal growth. Laying hens utilize it for egg production as well. It is important to note that BSF contains an optimal ratio of Calcium to Phosphorus. More isn't always better, but the balance of the two elements.

• Magnesium:

Magnesium is required for optimal growth and normal bodily functions. If your birds are magnesium-deficient, they may show symptoms including slow growth. In the worst-case scenario, a magnesium deficiency can kill them. Yikes!

• Sodium:

An optimum amount of sodium will speed up the growth and appetite of your flock. Although many people incorporate this through salt, it is good for you to remember that BSF larvae also give your birds some sodium.

• Iron:

Your birds use iron to build haemoglobin. This helps red blood cells to carry enough oxygen to all body parts. Everyone knows how important oxygen is to animal health.

• Zinc:

Zinc helps chickens and ducks form feathers and bones. Plus, it is important for enzymes and appetite control.

• Copper:

Your birds utilize copper to stop (or slow down) the growth of micro-organisms. This reduces the likelihood of contracting any diseases.

BSF larvae really are magical - one addition to the feed and so many benefits!

FAQs

Should I use BSF larvae only if my chickens don’t get to eat enough insects?

BSF is a natural treat for domestic fowl, which is not used only as a substitute for insects. BSF larvae can be used simply to incorporate more calcium and protein into your backyard flock’s diet.

Do I have to make my own dried BSFL?

Although you can make your own dried BSFL using small-scale drying techniques, you can also purchase ready-made ones.

Conclusion

Dried Black Soldier Fly Larvae is a natural and incredibly nutritious treat (something like what we refer to as a superfood). In addition, the proteins from the BSF have a full spectrum of amino acids since they are animal-derived, unlike soy or other feeds and treats. The nutritional information listed above will help you understand why BSF larvae are really worth the investment!

When thinking about joining the chicken-keeping contingency, make sure to understand all of the important things you will need to start raising backyard chicken.

To a first-time chicken-keeper, the task of keeping your chickens healthy and safe might sound very challenging. However, in reality, raising backyard chicken is quite simple once you’ve learned the essential tips and tricks. 

Chickens, out of all the birds, are the easiest to keep so after getting the basics right, you'll soon be able to reap the benefits, whether you keep chickens for their eggs or company. So let's dive into it and find out the essentials before you start raising backyard chicken.

Ordinances in Your Area 

Before starting, do detailed research about the laws of chicken-keeping in your area. In some cases this could be a country-wide regulation, in others it may be a local state or town.

Some areas have restricted livestock to agriculturally-designated zones. Others have banned roosters due to their noise. Likewise, there are cities where chickens have to stay in their coop at all times. This means they cannot live free-range. 

While your neighbors are not lawmakers (unless they actually are), you also probably don't want to introduce a rooster call at 5am to their life. That is unless your neighbor is not that near you or keeps backyard chickens as well.

After all, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. 

What Type of Chickens Do You Want?

There is a wide breed of chickens. Ranging from cuddly and loving to anxious and flighty, each chicken breed has its own qualities.

If you want to raise chickens for meat, you would get a broiler breed. One of the common options would be a Cornish Cross. If you're going going after the eggs then a Leghorn would be a better choice. If you live in a cold area, you would be better off choosing a breed which better copes during winter such as Australorp. You get where this is going - there are many chicken breeds and some may be better suited to your climate, overall goals from chicken keeping as well as other factors.

Visit a local hatchery or join local groups on Facebook and Telegram and you'll soon get some good advice on what breed can be found in your area. 

Adequate Space

Building a safe and happy chicken coop with ample space and privacy should be your priority when deciding to raise chickens. Here’s a list of things you should consider to include in your cage where your hens will live, play and lay eggs:

1. Comfortable Bedding: Sun-colored straw with its sweet earthy smell and springy texture will be a great bedding choice. Try to avoid sawdust as it is too dusty. 
2. Nesting Box: To lay eggs, hens require a dark area where they can have privacy. Planning for a nesting box would be a great idea.
3. Hanging Feeder and Waterer: Keeping it off-ground will preserve freshness. Additionally, place it inside your henhouse to keep unwanted animals away from the food. 
4. Coop Safety: Know the potential predators in the area and ensure your coop offers sufficient protection from unwanted guests.

That’s all you’ll need in your chicken house to start raising backyard chicken! 

Health and Hygiene of Your Chickens

Once you've brought your pet chickens home, make sure to perform your daily, monthly, and semi-yearly care to keep your chickens fit and healthy. 

On a daily basis, clean and refill the water to prevent dehydration of your chickens. In addition, collect their eggs to maximize freshness. Take some time to observe them on a daily basis to make sure that they are in good health.

Every month, manage your chickens' bedding, freshen their nest boxes, and sanitize the waterers. 

Finally, every six months, you should deep clean your chicken coop and prepare for the winter. 

What else do I need to know about raising backyard chickens?

Raising chickens may be an exciting experience, but you need to know some essential tips beforehand:

• Make sure you know or can reach out to a chicken expert for professional advice.
• Chickens may lay their eggs at unpredictable times. 
• Raising chickens can get messy so be ready to roll up your sleeves and be aware that however clean your coop and birds are, it won't smell like your rose garden.
• Buy a coop instead of building one. This will save a lot of time and frustration if you are not adept at carpentry. 

How many chickens should a beginner start with?

Chickens prefer to live in flocks. Therefore, you should keep at least two chickens. 

Additionally, if you have a big family, it would be an excellent option to have a flock of five or six hens. This would provide you with two dozen eggs per week. 

What can I feed my backyard chickens?

Here are some budget-friendly feed suggestions that your chickens will enjoy:

• Wheat
• Corn
• Peas
• Barley
• Any kind of grubs as treats (we of course recommend Supreme Grubs black soldier fly)

Conclusion

Raising chicken in your very own backyard may sound like an adventurous and thrilling experience. 

Things may not go as smoothly at first but get familiar with the basics, learn as you go, and you'll soon be the one advising others about backyard chicken keeping.

When you’ve invested long hours in raising your backyard birds, tips on how to protect your flock are something you’d love to know. 

Besides, it’s only natural to worry about the safety of your birds – they live in your backyard and not only occupy a place in your house but also your heart.

And when we talk about ‘safety’, it doesn’t only mean protection against predators, but also from overheating, infections and diseases, adverse weather conditions, and so on. 

Beware – Predators of Poultry Are on The Hunt

Predators, such as coyotes, dogs, and owls, always keep an eye out for prey – they’d actually love a chicken meal. 

To keep predators away in the daylight, you can hang reflective material around your coop. The sunlight reflected from this material will deter predators. 

However, this won’t work during low daylight hours. So, to protect your flock at night, you should consider replacing chicken wire with hardware cloth of half-an-inch thickness to keep the hungry animals away.

Another useful technique is using motion-detecting lights. These lights start flashing, and the alarm goes off whenever movement is sensed nearby. Most predators are simply scared off by the flashing lights.

You can also clear out any bushes or other hiding spots for the predators, along with keeping guard animals such as dogs and geese.

How To Protect Your Flock From Disease And Infections

Diseases and infections can reduce egg production, make your flock weak and even kill it – No one would wish that on their feathery friends. So, there are several things you can do to keep the diseases away.

In this regard, the health of your birds should come first. The stronger their immune system, the more resistant they'll be to diseases, and the more capable they'll be to fight off pathogens. You can ensure a healthy immune system by:

• Adding garlic cloves to the waterer.
• Feeding them bananas and berries.
• Giving them vitamin and mineral supplements.

Along with strengthening your flock's immune system, it is essential to keep any disease-causing germs away. You can do this using the following steps:

• Ensure any birds introduced to the coop are healthy and germ-free by quarantining them for at least a month.
• Employ methods to keep wild birds (that may carry germs) away.
• Wash your hands and change your shoes before entering the coop.

Protection from Adverse Weather Conditions

Too much heat and too much cold can harm your birds and make them sick. This makes it essential to protect them from extreme weather conditions.

How To Protect Your Flock From The Heat

Although chickens prefer warm temperatures, extreme heat can be harmful to them.

To keep your flock in the summer, you should make sure they have access to shady areas if the sun bothers them too much.

You should also give them fresh, cool water to drink and gently dampen their dust baths so they can twist and turn in the cool dirt.

Suppose you're in the mood to reward your feathery fellows. In that case, you can give them chilled treats, such as refrigerated berries and watermelons.

How To Protect Your Flock From The Cold

In the winter, you have to make sure your flock stays warm. 

You can do this by allowing sunlight to enter their coop, so heat is trapped in their living space.

It's also a great area to let your birds decide where they want to spend their time by leaving the coop door open for some time. Some might prefer staying in the indoor heat, while others will enjoy playing in the cold.

Also, keep the doors of the coop closed during the night while also sealing any holes. This will prevent any cold air from entering the coop.

Keep Them Warm, But Don’t Overheat!

At times, you may find yourself keeping your flock a little too warm. This doesn’t let the birds ‘adapt’ to changing weather conditions and causes problems.

Plus, a ‘very warm’ coop will encourage the chickens to stay in and avoid going out in the fresh air. This will eventually affect their health in harmful ways.

Therefore, make sure you're using a calculated amount of insulation. Too little insulation will mean the temperature drops low. Too much insulation will build up moisture and cause respiratory issues.

Conclusion

Raising chickens and ducks has its benefits, but it also comes with great responsibility. Part of this responsibility revolves around the safety of your feathery fellows.

If your birds are safe, they’ll be healthy and happy. And happy and healthy birds will give you maximum benefits. 

Therefore, you must know how to protect your flock. And when we say ‘protect’, we mean it in many different ways, with the most important ones discussed in this blog.