Backyard Fowl Keepers

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.

If your goal is long-term storage, drying is ideal. Sun-drying might work if you create a protected area with fine mesh screening to keep birds and bugs out. If freezing, I'd suggest spreading them on baking sheets first, then bagging them once frozen so they don't clump. Another option is fermenting, which adds probiotics and preserves them without requiring electricity. Pressure canning could be effective, but the smell would likely linger, and you'd need to experiment with proper processing times. No matter what method you choose, your flock is going to love the extra protein!

Have you considered turning them into insect meal? Dry them out (sun, oven, or dehydrator), then grind them into a powder to mix with feed. That way, no mess and easy storage!

Boiling before freezing is a smart move. It helps cleanse them, prevents discoloration, and firms up their structure. Without boiling, caterpillars could turn into a gooey mess when thawed. If you want to dehydrate them later, pre-boiling helps with that too. As for drying, sun-drying is possible with protection from birds,maybe try a solar dehydrator setup. A pressure canner could work, but the smell might linger in your kitchen. If freezing in bulk, spread them on trays first to avoid clumping. If your nephew is helping collect them, maybe test small batches first to see which method works best!

Freezing them is a great idea, but expect some mushiness when thawing. Boiling first can help maintain structure and reduce odors.

Chickens don't mind texture changes! Even if they turn mushy, they'll still love them as a high-protein snack.

Freezing in trays before bagging can help prevent them from turning into a solid block. Boiling will reduce bacteria and keep them from turning black, but drying is best for long-term storage. If sun-drying, a mesh-covered drying rack could help keep scavengers away.

I love that you're thinking outside the box for alternative feed! Freezing is easy, but yes, thawed caterpillars might get messy. One trick is to lay them out on trays, freeze them individually, then bag them up,that way, they don't clump together. Boiling can help firm them up and remove bacteria, but it might also remove some nutrients. Sun-drying is viable but would need a well-ventilated, covered setup. Have you considered fermenting or mixing them with grains for storage? Either way, your flock will get a protein boost from this effort!

I admire your resourcefulness! Freezing is easiest, but expect a mushy texture when thawed. Boiling first can help firm them up, making handling easier. Sun-drying is possible with enough airflow and protection. If dehydration is too slow, you might try baking them on low heat in an outdoor grill. Have you looked into fermenting? It's great for preserving nutrients and could make them even more beneficial for your flock. Given the sheer volume, testing a few methods before going all in is probably your best bet. Either way, this is a great way to turn pests into poultry feed!

Pressure canning might work, but the smell could be intense! Have you considered fermenting them like black soldier fly larvae?