Mealworms have gained popularity as a nutritious and protein-rich food source for pets, livestock, and even humans. Mealworm farming has also proven to be a profitable business. But which is better: live or dried mealworms?
While both options offer various benefits, they also have distinct characteristics that set them apart. In this article, I will compare dried mealworms with live mealworms to help you determine which one suits your needs.
Live and dried mealworms are both nutritious, though the live mealworms are slightly healthier for chickens and birds. But dried mealworms are still a good and cost effective alternative.
Shelf Life and Storage
One of the advantages of dried mealworms is their extended shelf life. Since all the moisture has been removed, you can store it for months without spoiling. It won’t nutritional value either.
Dried mealworms are lightweight, which makes them convenient for outdoor activities. You could pack them and rehydrate easily.
On the other hand, live mealworms have a shorter shelf life. They must be refrigerated to ensure their survival.
Reptiles, birds, chickens and other livestock prefer live mealworms though. If you want a constant supply without buying repeatedly, you can always create a mealworm farm.
Nutritional Content
Live mealworms are known for their especially proteins and fats. They are also a good source of essential amino acids and fiber. For these reasons they are an ideal dietary supplement for pets, wild birds, and reptiles.
Dried mealworms are also healthy. However, some vitamins and minerals may be lost during the drying process. Although still rich in proteins, the nutritional content of dried mealworms may be slightly lower compared to the live variety.
Keep in mind that dried mealworms are getting better and better. Depending on the brand, its nutritional content might be equal or even better than live mealworms.
It comes down to what brand you are buying from so compare the nutrition label. From personal experience, dried and live mealworms are both nutritious and you can’t go wrong with either one.
Convenience and Handling
Dried mealworms are more convenient especially for beginners. They don’t need special care and you can feed them directly to pets or livestock.
Mealworms are also used in various recipes like baking, cooking, or as toppings. Their unique, crunchy texture is suitable for different diets, including omnivores, herbivores, and insectivores. I am not just talking about animals but humans too.
Live mealworms can be more challenging to handle. It’s not for squeamish and they might escape if not held properly.
You can use feeders, and with experience it’s easy to give them to reptiles, birds and chickens. But overall, dried mealworms are more convenient.
Cost
In general, dried mealworms are cheaper. The drying process reduces their weight which makes them less expensive to ship.
But there are a lot of factors that influence cost. You could buy live mealworms in bulk to reduce the cost for instance. The quantity, brand, store discounts, etc. can make live mealworms more affordable.
Whether you are buying live or dried mealworms, the cost is really low compared to other food for chicken, birds, reptiles etc. This is particularly true if you purchase in bulk, which is good news if you are creating a mealworm farm.
Which is Best for Chickens: Live or Dried Mealworms?
Both live and dried mealworms can be beneficial for chickens, but they serve different purposes. To make it easier to compare, I have compared them in all the important categories.
Live mealworms
Live mealworms provide chickens with mental and physical stimulation as they have to chase them down. They mimic the experience of foraging for insects in their natural habitat, which keeps chickens active.
Live mealworms provide two benefits for chickens: nutrients and vitamins, and keeping them active. Both are essential for their health and egg production.
Dried mealworms
Dried mealworms are a more convenient option. You can simply add the worms to their regular feed or give them as treats. Either way it’s very convenient.
Dried mealworms still offer a good amount of protein, vitamins, and minerals, but they lack the interactive and engaging aspect of live mealworms.
Both options can be used to supplement a chicken’s diet, and the choice depends on your personal preferences.
And you don’t have to choose one over the other because you can give them both to chickens! I like to switch things up, sometimes I give them dried mealworms and sometimes live ones. It’s good for their diet.
Which is Best for Birds: Live or Dried Mealworms?
Both live and dried mealworms can be beneficial for birds, but there are some differences to consider:
Live Mealworms
Nutritional value. Live mealworms are nutritious and provide birds with a fresh and natural food source. They are rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, which are essential for bird health and growth.
Attraction. Live prey are more likely to attract birds due to their movement. Their wiggling mimics natural prey and can entice birds to feed.
Behavioral stimulation. Birds often exhibit hunting behavior when capturing live mealworms, which can provide mental stimulation and enrichment.
Dried Mealworms
Convenience. Dried mealworms are more convenient to store and handle. Unlike live mealworms, they do not require special conditions such as refrigeration or feeding.
Longevity. Dried mealworms have a longer shelf life compared to live ones. This makes them a more practical option if you want to keep bird feeders stocked for an extended period.
Backup Food. These can serve as a backup food source when live food is scarce or unavailable. You can use these during certain seasons or when live mealworms are difficult to find.
Both live and dried mealworms have their advantages. Live mealworms offer natural nutrition, behavioral stimulation, and better attraction for birds.
On the other hand, dried mealworms provide convenience, longer shelf life, and can be used as a backup food option. It’s a good idea to offer both options to provide variety and meet the specific needs of different bird species.
What are Dried Mealworms Anyway?
Mealworms are the larval stage of the darkling beetle. They are commonly found in decaying wood and leaf litter in forests and grasslands.
Insects in general are often seen as pests, but mealworms are beneficial to the environment. They break down and decompose organic material, helping to maintain the balance of natural ecosystems.
These tiny creatures are rich in protein, making them a great nutritional source for a variety of pets, including birds, reptiles, and small mammals such as hamsters and geckos. But just what are dried mealworms, and how are they prepared?
How Dried Mealworms are Made
To prepare dried mealworms, the insects are grown and raised in a controlled environment. This ensures they are free from any harmful chemicals or pesticides.
They are harvested, cleaned, and cooked at a high temperature for sanitation and remove any unwanted moisture. The mealworms are then dried and packaged for sale.
Dried mealworms can be found in many pet stores and online retailers, and they come in a variety of sizes and quantities.
As Pet Food
For birds, a small handful added to their regular feed is a great source of protein. Reptiles and small mammals can be given dried mealworms as a treat or as part of their regular diet, depending on their dietary needs.
One of the benefits of feeding your pets dried mealworms is the nutritional value. Aside from protein, they are high in essential amino acids such as lysine and methionine, which are important building blocks for healthy tissues and muscles.
Some studies have suggested that feeding your pets mealworms can also help improve their immune systems and increase vitality.
Dried mealworms are also an eco-friendly choice compared to beef, chicken and other protein sources. Insects require less land, water, and resources to produce, making them a more sustainable option overall.
Mealworm farms for instance, need very little startup capital. They are also low maintenance and the potential profit is pretty good.
Conclusion
Dried and live mealworms are a nutritious and sustainable source of nutrients for pets and livestock. Whichever you choose, your pets will benefit. You can opt for just dried or live, or you can mix and match. Either way, what’s important is that your pet or livestock gets to eat mealworms because it is essential.
