The short answer
Choose Live Calci Worms if you want a treat that arrives moving, is simple to portion and turns feeding into something the flock can chase, peck and scratch for. Neither Calci Worms nor mealworms should replace a balanced layers ration.
Side-by-side comparison
| Question | Live Calci Worms | Mealworms |
|---|---|---|
| What are they? | Black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) | Larvae of darkling beetles, commonly Tenebrio molitor |
| Live movement | Wriggle and move when offered live | Also move when offered live |
| Use for hens in Great Britain | A live complementary treat and feeding-enrichment option | Live mealworms may be used as a complementary treat; dried terrestrial insects cannot be used in poultry treats |
| Nutritional profile | Two analyses of our frozen whole larvae reported about 43–46% crude protein on a dry-matter basis | Published mealworm analyses report substantial protein and fat; values vary by batch and processing |
| Can either replace layers feed? | No | No |
What Calci Worm research supports
In laying-hen studies, birds readily interacted with live black soldier fly larvae. Researchers commonly observed more active, food-directed behaviour or less inactivity. Some other findings vary between studies, breeds, diets and housing systems, so they should not be turned into guaranteed outcomes for a backyard flock.
Why simple nutrient claims mislead
Species alone does not determine the figures on a label. Life stage, rearing substrate, moisture and processing all affect composition. Dried products are also much less watery than live larvae, so percentages should be compared on the same basis and against the supplier's current analysis.
What the available nutrition figures show
Our two frozen whole-larvae analyses reported crude protein of approximately 42.8% and 46.16% on a dry-matter basis. One also reported 29.73% fat, 13.61% monogastric fibre and 24.03 MJ/kg energy. These are batch analyses, not guaranteed values for every pouch.
In a peer-reviewed comparison of dried insect meals, the tested black soldier fly larvae meals contained 45–58% crude protein and the mealworm meals 51–56% on a dry-matter basis. Every black soldier fly larvae meal in that study contained more calcium than its mealworm samples, but insect composition varied substantially with rearing and processing. That supports a species-level comparison, not a guaranteed calcium percentage or an eggshell result for this product.
Why live matters in Great Britain
Current government guidance says dried terrestrial insects and insect-derived processed animal protein cannot be used in farm animal feed or hen treats in Great Britain. Live terrestrial invertebrates can be used, subject to the relevant animal-feed requirements.
Read the government guidanceFive questions to ask before choosing
- 1.Is the product intended and labelled as animal feed?
- 2.Is it live, dried or processed—and is that what your hens enjoy?
- 3.Are storage, feeding and use-by instructions clear?
- 4.Does the supplier explain where it is produced and what the larvae are fed?
- 5.Are claims proportionate to evidence, without promising treatment or guaranteed health effects?