Are Calci Worms Safe for Chickens? What UK Chicken Keepers Need to Know

If you’ve ever considered feeding Calci Worms to your chickens, chances are you paused for a moment and asked yourself a sensible question: are these actually safe? When you care about your flock, you don’t want to take risks, especially when it comes to what they eat. That hesitation is completely understandable, and it’s something we hear often from chicken keepers across the UK.

The short answer is yes — live Calci Worms are safe for chickens when they’re produced responsibly and fed correctly. But as with most things in chicken keeping, the details matter.

Chickens are natural insect eaters. Given the chance, they will spend hours scratching through soil and leaf litter in search of bugs, larvae, and grubs. Feeding live Calci Worms simply supports behaviour that already exists. What makes them particularly valuable is their nutritional profile, especially their naturally high calcium content, which supports eggshell strength and overall bone health.

In the UK, however, there is an important legal distinction that responsible keepers should be aware of. Poultry are only permitted to be fed live insects, not dried ones. This regulation exists to protect animal health and ensure feed safety standards are maintained. For chicken keepers, this means choosing suppliers who understand and respect UK legislation, rather than cutting corners.

This is one of the reasons Syntects focuses exclusively on live Calci Worms. Producing them here in the UK allows for close quality control, better freshness, and full confidence that what you’re feeding your chickens is both legal and appropriate. When live Calci Worms arrive, they’re active, nutritious, and ready to be fed — exactly as nature intended.

Safety also comes down to how Calci Worms are used. They’re best offered as a treat alongside a balanced diet, not as a replacement for regular feed. Most keepers find that a small handful a few times a week is plenty. Chickens will eagerly eat them, but moderation ensures they continue to get all the nutrients they need from their main feed as well.

Another concern some people have is whether feeding insects can cause digestive issues or aggressive behaviour. In practice, the opposite is often true. Because live Calci Worms encourage natural foraging and movement, they can help reduce boredom and stress, particularly in enclosed runs. Chickens that are mentally stimulated tend to be calmer and more content, which contributes to overall flock wellbeing.

For those new to Calci Worms, starting small is always a good idea. Syntects offers live Calci Worms in 100-count packs, which are ideal for trying them out and seeing how your flock responds. For larger flocks or experienced keepers who already know how much their chickens enjoy them, the bulk 1kg option supplied in two 500g bags offers a convenient and cost-effective way to keep treats on hand without compromising on freshness.

Ultimately, feeding Calci Worms should feel like a confident choice, not a questionable one. When sourced responsibly, fed in moderation, and supplied by people who understand chickens, they are a safe, natural, and enriching addition to your flock’s routine. At Syntects, education and care go hand in hand with every order, because keeping chickens well starts with making informed decisions.

If you’re already feeding live Calci Worms, you’re supporting your chickens in a way that aligns with their instincts. And if you’re still considering it, knowing they’re safe, legal, and responsibly produced can make that decision much easier.