Backyard Fowl Keepers

CluckCommander wrote: Wed Feb 12, 2025 4:33 am Every fall, like clockwork, our land is invaded. Not by foxes, hawks, or raccoons, but by an armymillions of tiny, wriggling, leaf-devouring caterpillars pouring in from the neighboring alfalfa fields. Armyworms. If you've never seen an infestation firsthand, imagine your yard moving. The first year we experienced it, I was horrified. The second year, mildly annoyed. By the third year, I saw an opportunity. What if we could turn this plague into poultry feed?

I started researching. Some backyard chicken keepers suggested freezing them. That seemed like the easiest method, but I had concerns. Would they turn into a gooey, unappetizing mess once thawed? Others recommended boiling before freezing to prevent blackening and maintain their structure, similar to how shrimp are processed. It sounded promising, but then what? Freeze, dry, store? Could I dehydrate them in bulk?

I decided to test different methods. First, I scooped up a few handfuls, tossed them into a pot of boiling water for a couple of minutes, and drained them. The caterpillars firmed up slightly, and the water turned a deep green. A quick rinse, and into the freezer they went. A few days later, I thawed them, expecting a gelatinous disaster. But to my surprise, they held their shape well enough to be tossed into the run, where my hens devoured them with pure glee. Encouraging!

Next, I tried sun drying. We had plenty of sun, and I usually dry herbs and bread between layers of window screen, so why not caterpillars? I spread them out carefully, covered them to prevent birds from snatching them, and waited. Within two days, I had crunchy, dry larvaeperfect for long-term storage. The downside? The smell. Even outside, it lingered.

Pressure canning briefly crossed my mind, but the logistics of dealing with gallons upon gallons of caterpillars in glass jars didnt sit well with me. Dehydrating was another option, but my little home unit couldnt keep up with the scale. Plus, I had no interest in my house smelling like boiled bugs for weeks.

Ultimately, I settled on a combination method: quick boil, freeze, and sun dry in manageable batches. I recruited my nephewalways eager for extra cashto help with the collecting. He gathered thousands, selling them to fellow chicken keepers in the area. Before I knew it, what once felt like an overwhelming invasion had transformed into an abundant, free protein source for my flock and a little side business for my nephew.

Now, when the armyworms arrive, I no longer see them as a problem. Instead, I see a sustainable, nutritious resource waiting to be harvested. The best part? My hens are thriving, and my feed costs have gone down. What once felt like a yearly burden has turned into one of the most valuable parts of my homestead routine.

So, if you find yourself knee-deep in an insect invasion, dont despairget creative! You never know what hidden benefits nature has in store.