Mealworm size

[sierranomad]

I went to pick up some mealworms today (so I can start raising them) and was surprised to find that they come in small, medium and large.

Is there a "right" size for Societies?

Thank you,

[lovemyfinch]

For finches the right size would be the smallest, although I am not certain , I don't believe that societies need them in their diet. For mine their favorite foods are their veggies, nothing lasts long.

[L in Ontario]

The large are too large (IMO) for finches. I've just ordered 2,000 of the 1" size and I cut them in half as I feed them to my birds to prevent any crawling away after leaving them in the cages. I'm not going to find anymore beetles crawling around the room!

[B CAMP]

I don't think you need to feed societies mealworms but if you do the small is the best for most finches

[Sally]

I would agree with the others that Societies don't need mealworms, so unless you are really set on fooling with them, I wouldn't bother. As Liz said, one of the down sides to feeding them is finding beetles crawling around your bird room! Some of the birds toss them around, so they escape, and they will multiply on you, where you don't want them. That is one of the reasons I started working on converting my birds to a no-live-food diet. I only give them to Strawberries right now. I am trying Liz's hint of cutting them in half when serving them.

[Ursula]

I feed the mini size. I accidentially ordered the small ones once and they were too big for the finches, they didn't like them.

To prevent the beetle problem (which I also had in the beginning!) I keep them in the fridge as recommended, but I take a day's portion out at night and freeze them in a little cup in the freezer overnight. That way they are dead but still fresh in the morning.

My cordon bleus are crazy about mealworms year round. I don't have societies so I couldn't tell you if they like them. BUt even my budgies like mealworms now and munch on them... I believe they are a good source of protein so I think it's good to feed them to the finches. If they don't like them just put them in a cup and feed them to the birds outside. They will love you for that.

P.S: I tried the "cutting in half" method when I accidentially ordered the small ones instead of the minis. But it grossed me out so much to cut them up when they are still wiggling and the finches didn't care for half mealworms either that I never did or will do that again...

[Sally]

I may try your method, Ursula. I too didn't enjoy cutting them in half, and some still tried to crawl away--ugh!

[sierranomad]

Thanks for all the replies.

I think I'll give them a try, I like the thought of giving them as varied a diet as possible. Putting the next days serving in the freezer sounds great!

Thanks again!

Jon

[Ursula]

I may try your method, Ursula. I too didn't enjoy cutting them in half, and some still tried to crawl away--ugh!

Right!

Only freeze as many as you think they will eat that day. The dead ones dry out fast and turn black and then they don't eat them anymore... But I guess that must happen with your half ones too.

Forgot to mention: I don't thaw them or anything, I just put them from the freezer into the aviary. Since they are so small they thaw very quickly anyway, and the cordons don't seem to mind when they are still cold and stiff at first. It's funny actually when they are trying to eat them and chew them around in their beaks like popsicles, apparently to soften them up... But that's only when they are going to them right away when I put them in.

[L in Ontario]

I guess you need to do what works for you and your birds.

I was so squirmy about even touching mealworms in the beginning but now I don't even flinch about cutting them in half. The birds all love them this way and I never find one leftover. They don't dry out as they get eaten immediately. They can't crawl off - even though they may wiggle for a very short time after being cut. I serve cut mealies twice a day. It's a lot quicker than freezing which could take a while for them to actually die. JMHO

I feel the 1" size gives the finches more 'meat' than the tiny 1/2" size and being cut in half, it's super easy access to the inside. The Parrot Finches eat the whole worm.

I only give them to the Societies when they are fostering chicks that require live food.

[Kathryn]

I'm currently begging my husband to order the bugs. I don't do bugs!

[lovemyfinch]

1 slight suggestion. If you freeze them make sure that there is room for the cold air to get to the bottom. I actually had a few under the pile that managed to not freeze, and they don't stay just in the birdroom. My oldest son (who is terrified of bugs), found a beetle crawling in his room (downstairs) It was rather hilarious though to see a young 6 ft tall 170lb man, running for the hills after seeing a bug smaller than his pinky nail

[Ursula]

Janine, that is hilarious!!!!