Feeding maggots instead of mealworms ? (1 Viewer)

[barnstormer]

Has anyone tried feeding maggots as live feed as apposed to meal/wax worms ?.They seem to be a lot cheaper than the worms but are they any good.I was thinking of offering them in a live ramikin type feeder.I have just ordered a cage type feeder from haiths to stop the starlings getting in on the act.

 

[ChrisKten]

Maggots are fed on offal/meat and can pass on Salmonella if eaten by birds, which can kill the birds. Mealworms are fed on vegetable matter, which is why they are safe.

 

[barnstormer]

Cheers mate thanks for the info,will try mealworms............

 

[ChrisKten]

Cheers mate thanks for the info,will try mealworms............

You are welcome.

It's one of those things where it's probably best be safe than sorry. Although I think most of us have fed maggots to birds at some point, I certainly did when I used to go Fishing (I was a good Angler, both careful and considerate of other wildlife|=)|)

 

[jeffwode]

Maggots are fed on offal/meat and can pass on Salmonella if eaten by birds, which can kill the birds. Mealworms are fed on vegetable matter, which is why they are safe.

we used to get our own maggots for fishing. get a jar of porrige oats, mix a bit of milk and leave it out for the flys for a few days, then take it to somewhere a bit sheltered, and put the lid on (but perforate it) after a week or so, there will be a selection of fat white maggots. these were great for fishing. but my mother at the time wasnt too happy when she found out quite what i was doing with all the quaker oats. cant see why the birds might not like them too!! i might try it again now. (but i wont tell the mrs!!)

 

[ChrisKten]

we used to get our own maggots for fishing. get a jar of porrige oats, mix a bit of milk and leave it out for the flys for a few days, then take it to somewhere a bit sheltered, and put the lid on (but perforate it) after a week or so, there will be a selection of fat white maggots. these were great for fishing. but my mother at the time wasnt too happy when she found out quite what i was doing with all the quaker oats. cant see why the birds might not like them too!! i might try it again now. (but i wont tell the mrs!!)

I'm not sure if Salmonella would still be a problem, because of the Milk.

I can still remember the look on my Wife's face when, years ago, maggots escaped from the bait box. It was worse as the bait box was in the fridge.|=)|

 

[peter hill]

If you do feed fishing maggots dont feed dyed ones as the dye can be bad for the birds :eek!: