6 Best Dried Grubs for Chickens
Boost your flock’s protein with the 6 best dried grubs farmers swear by. This natural supplement supports strong eggshells, feather health, and more.
When you see those first few feathers on the coop floor, you know molting season has arrived. It’s a stressful time for a flock, and their protein needs skyrocket. The right supplemental protein can make the difference between a quick, healthy molt and a long, difficult one that tanks your egg production for months.
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Why Grubs Beat Mealworms for Chicken Protein
Let’s get this straight from the start: not all dried bugs are created equal. For years, mealworms were the standard treat, but experienced chicken keepers have almost universally switched to dried Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae, or "grubs." The reason is simple and comes down to one critical mineral: calcium.
Mealworms are notoriously low in calcium and high in phosphorus, a ratio that can actually hinder calcium absorption over time. BSF grubs, on the other hand, are packed with it. They can have up to 50 times more calcium than mealworms, which is a game-changer for laying hens. This means stronger eggshells, less risk of egg-binding, and better overall skeletal health for your birds. While mealworms provide a good protein kick, grubs offer a more complete nutritional package that supports the whole bird.
Grubblies: The USA-Grown Sustainable Choice
If you prioritize sourcing and sustainability, Grubblies is the brand to look at. They were one of the first to really popularize BSF larvae for backyard chickens, and they’ve built their reputation on quality and a commitment to a healthy food cycle. Their grubs are grown in the USA and Canada on pre-consumer food waste—think leftover grains and vegetable scraps from food production that would otherwise hit a landfill.
This domestic sourcing gives you peace of mind about quality control. The product is consistent, the grubs are whole and plump, and chickens go absolutely wild for them. The tradeoff, of course, is price. You’ll pay a premium for the "USA-Grown" label and the sustainable practices, but for many small farmers, knowing where their flock’s food comes from is worth the extra cost.
FLYGRUBS: High Calcium for Stronger Eggshells
FLYGRUBS leans heavily into the science, marketing their product as a calcium powerhouse. If you’ve been struggling with thin, weak, or soft-shelled eggs, this is the grub you should be reaching for. Their entire brand is built around providing that optimal calcium-to-phosphorus ratio that hens need for peak laying performance.
They are a fantastic choice during the spring laying frenzy or for older hens whose shells might be starting to lose their integrity. While they are also BSF larvae, their focused marketing on calcium makes them an easy choice for anyone specifically trying to solve an eggshell quality problem. They are often more competitively priced than some premium brands, offering a great balance of nutritional science and value.
Tasty Grubs: A Top Pick for Non-GMO Flocks
For the farmer who is meticulous about their feed inputs, Tasty Grubs offers a crucial certification: they are verified by the Non-GMO Project. In a market where feed sourcing can be murky, this label provides a clear, third-party guarantee that the grubs were raised on a non-genetically modified diet. This is a big deal if you maintain a non-GMO operation or sell eggs to customers who value that distinction.
Beyond the certification, the quality is excellent. The bags tend to have very few broken pieces or dust, maximizing what you pay for. Choosing Tasty Grubs is about aligning your flock’s treats with your farm’s core principles. It’s the brand for the keeper who reads every ingredient label and believes that quality inputs lead to quality outputs.
Scratch and Peck Feeds Grubs for Organic Diets
If you’re already feeding a certified organic ration, Scratch and Peck Feeds is likely a familiar name. Their Cluckin’ Good Grubs are the logical choice for maintaining the integrity of an organic feeding program. While the grubs themselves are not certified organic (a complex and costly process for insect protein), they are a product you can trust from a company dedicated to organic and whole-feed principles.
This is less about a single feature and more about system compatibility. When you’re running an organic farm, you want to trust your sources. Scratch and Peck has built that trust over years. Using their grubs alongside their feeds ensures you’re staying consistent with a brand philosophy that prioritizes natural, high-quality ingredients for your flock.
Eaton BSF Larvae: Best Bulk Value for Farmers
Sometimes, it just comes down to cost per pound. If you have a larger flock or simply want the most grubs for your money, Eaton is often the answer. They specialize in bulk, offering larger bags—sometimes up to 40 pounds—that significantly drive down the unit price. This is the practical, no-frills option for the farmer focused on efficiency and budget.
The tradeoff for this value is sometimes consistency. You might find a wider variation in grub size or a bit more dust at the bottom of a large bag compared to the premium brands. But the protein and calcium are still there, and the chickens don’t care about aesthetics. For daily feeding or supplementing a flock of 30, 40, or 50 birds, the economic sense of buying in bulk from a brand like Eaton is hard to beat.
Kaytee Mealworms: A Classic, Readily Found Treat
We have to include the classic. Kaytee Mealworms are the most widely available treat on the market, found everywhere from dedicated feed stores to the pet aisle of a big-box retailer. Their biggest advantage is accessibility. When you run out unexpectedly and need something today, you can almost always find a bag of Kaytee mealworms.
While they lack the stellar calcium profile of BSF grubs, they are still a perfectly fine source of protein that chickens love. Think of them as the convenient fallback. They are a great way to train your birds or give them a quick treat, but if you’re relying on them as a primary supplement, just be mindful of their nutritional limitations and ensure your flock has a free-choice calcium source like oyster shell available.
How to Feed Grubs for a Healthy Flock Balance
Remember, grubs are a supplement, not a replacement for a balanced layer feed. The "treat" rule of thumb is that they shouldn’t make up more than 10% of your flock’s total diet. For most of us, this means a small handful of grubs scattered for every 4-5 birds, just once a day or even a few times a week.
Use them strategically. Tossing a handful into the run encourages natural foraging behavior and helps beat boredom. Shaking the bag is also the single most effective way to train your flock to come running when you need them back in the coop. Overfeeding protein can lead to kidney issues and other health problems, so resist the urge to spoil them. A little goes a long way in boosting their health without disrupting the nutritional balance of their main feed.
Ultimately, the best grub is the one that fits your farm’s goals and budget. Whether you prioritize domestic sourcing, non-GMO certification, bulk value, or sheer convenience, there’s a high-protein treat that will keep your flock healthy and productive. A small daily addition of the right grubs is one of the easiest ways to ensure strong shells, brilliant feathers, and happy, thriving chickens.
