Can Chickens Eat Crickets?
Chickens can eat crickets — live or dried, they're natural, protein-dense prey a flock is built to chase.
The why
Insects are what chickens evolved eating; crickets offer protein and a workout in one. Bait-shop or reptile-store crickets are fine, as are the dried ones sold for wild birds.
How to feed it
Toss a few live ones into the run and watch the rodeo, or scatter dried ones like mealworms.
Worth knowing
Same moderation as any rich treat. Avoid feeding insects you've collected from areas that may have been sprayed.
The 90/10 rule: whatever the treat, a laying flock's diet should stay about 90% balanced feed. Treats — even the healthy ones — are the garnish, not the meal. Wondering what your flock really costs to feed? Try our free egg cost calculator.
📄 Free printable: The Chicken Never List
The 15 foods that can hurt your flock, on one page — print it, tape it inside the feed-bin lid.
Keep your whole flock on track
Homestead Paradise tracks your birds, eggs, feed costs, and health records in one place — and Harold, your homestead advisor, reads your records and tells you what he'd do next. Snap a photo of a mystery plant or bug with Harold's Eyes before it ends up in the run.
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