Let's Talk Mealworms

Some of you will already know this but to help out those that are new to the world of quail and poultry - feeding DRIED mealworms is BANNED here in the UK! Dried mealworms are imported and may have been fed on animal proteins and other unknown nasties - this has the potential to pass on disease! This is something you don't want for your birds, yourself or your customers! The safe alternative is feeding them LIVE mealworms! First and foremost, live mealworms are much more inviting to birds while being more nutritious and fun. After all, who doesn't want to watch their birds scratch around searching for stray mealworms? The UK has very strict regulations (introduced by DEFRA) regarding animal husbandry - including insect production! This ensures EVERYTHING is raised on the correct feed and in the correct environment to dramatically reduce the risk of infections and diseases. Other countries around the world have very different regulations so make sure you follow UK based information.

If they're banned, why do pet shops still sell them? Caged birds like budgies, canaries, finch, etc. are classed as pets that don't enter the food chain. Just like wild birds, they can safely eat dried insects without the risk of introducing or spreading infections and diseases. All pet shops should display dried mealworms in the caged bird/wild bird section. Quail come under the bracket of livestock since they're commonly farmed for meat and eggs. Dried insects shouldn't be displayed in the poultry section of any pet shop since DEFRA implemented the ban back in 2014!

Looking for a British mealworm producer? We highly recommend using Livefoods Direct Ltd. They provide quality mealworms at unbeatable prices, with fast delivery. They're also DEFRA registered, so you know they're fed on the correct diet to guarantee quality. Once you receive your package from Livefoods Direct, you then have the potential to set up your own mealworm farm for a continuous supply of worms! Head over to 'Our Trusted Circle' for a link to Livefoods Direct Ltd - your birds will definitely thank you!