Mealworms vs. Commercial Layer Feed: Which Helps Eggs More?
- Ajinkya Chopade
- 1 hour ago
- 5 min read
Many chicken owners want to improve egg production and often wonder whether mealworms can replace commercial layer feed. Mealworms are rich in protein, and hens absolutely love them. Layer feed, on the other hand, is specially made to support healthy egg laying. To understand which one truly helps eggs more, you must compare their nutrition, their role, and how hens respond to both. The simple truth is that both have value, but they are not equal.
1. What Layer Feed Provides?
Commercial layer feed is formulated for one goal: to provide laying hens with all the nutrients they need every day. It keeps hens healthy, helps them lay regularly, and supports the production of strong, high-quality eggs.
Layer feed has the right mix of protein, energy, vitamins, minerals, and essential amino acids. These nutrients are needed to form an egg. Protein builds the egg white, fat and amino acids form the yolk, and calcium creates a strong shell.
A major benefit of layer feed is its high calcium content. Hens need a lot of calcium daily. Without it, they lay thin-shelled or soft eggs, or may stop laying. Layer feed gives calcium in a safe, balanced way.
Because it provides everything in the correct amount, layer feed must stay the main diet. When hens eat too many treats instead of their feed, they miss key nutrients, and laying problems can start.
2. What Mealworms Provide?
Mealworms are the larvae of Tenebrio molitor beetles and are known for being very high in protein. They usually contain 40–60% protein, which gives hens strong amino acids for feather growth, body repair, and egg formation. This is why they are helpful during molting, cold weather, or stressful times.
Mealworms also have good fats that give hens quick energy and help them stay warm in winter. They do contain some vitamins and minerals, but not in the full balance hens need for daily laying.
The biggest issue is calcium. Mealworms have almost no calcium, so if hens eat too many, they may eat less layer feed and miss the calcium needed for strong eggshells. This is a key reason mealworms cannot replace layer feed.
Mealworms are also very calorie-dense, which means hens can gain weight if they eat too much. Overweight hens lay fewer eggs, as excess fat affects their reproductive system. Still, when used wisely, mealworms give hens the extra protein boost they need during molting, seasonal changes, or recovery.
3. Direct Comparison
When you compare mealworms and layer feed, you should look at three things: egg production, egg quality, and cost per nutrient.
Egg Production
Layer feed supports consistent, long-term egg production because it gives hens a complete diet. It maintains their energy, calcium, amino acids, and vitamin levels at the right amounts. This balance is essential for daily laying.
Mealworms can help support production when hens need extra protein, but only in small amounts. A protein boost can help during molting, cold weather, or when hens are underweight. But mealworms alone cannot sustain laying for long, because they do not supply minerals and vitamins at normal feeding levels.
Egg Quality
Egg quality depends heavily on protein and calcium. Layer feed provides both. This results in strong shells, normal yolk color, and good egg weight.
Mealworms can improve yolk richness and support protein needs, but if hens replace too much of their layer feed with mealworms, shells may become thin or soft. This is because mealworms lack the calcium and mineral balance needed to maintain proper shell formation.
Cost Per Nutrient
Layer feed is usually more cost-effective because it provides all nutrients in one product. Every gram you pay for contains protein, vitamins, minerals, fats, and energy.
Mealworms are more expensive per nutrient because they supply mostly protein and fat. They are ideal as a supplement but not practical or affordable as a full diet.
4. Can Mealworms Replace Layer Feed?
The simple answer is no. Mealworms cannot and should not replace commercial layer feed. Even though they are rich in protein, they do not contain the important minerals or vitamins hens need every day.
Mealworms miss key nutrients like:
Calcium
Vitamin D
Phosphorus
Manganese
Magnesium
Balanced amino acids
Without these nutrients, hens will eventually lay fewer eggs, produce poor-quality shells, or stop laying entirely. Mealworms also have too much fat to be used as the main protein source for long periods.
However, mealworms do have an important role. When used as a supplement, they can help hens during special periods when protein needs are higher. They can support egg production indirectly by improving overall health, energy, and feather condition.
5. Cases When Added Protein Helps
There are specific times when hens genuinely benefit from a little extra protein. These are the moments when mealworms become especially useful.
Cold Seasons
Hens burn more energy to keep warm. Mealworms provide both protein and fat, giving them quick warmth and strength.
Molting Season
Molting requires a large amount of protein because hens are busy growing new feathers. A mealworm supplement helps speed up feather regrowth and improves comfort.
Underweight Hens
Hens that lost weight due to stress, illness, or environmental changes may gain energy and condition more quickly when they get a small amount of mealworms.
Mealworms work well in these situations because they give concentrated nutrition in a small serving.
6. Best Practice: Using Both Together
The ideal approach is to use layer feed as the main diet and mealworms as a small supplement. This ensures hens get complete nutrition while enjoying the benefits of high-protein insects.
A simple rule that many chicken keepers follow is
Mealworms should make up no more than 5–10% of the total diet.
This means hens still eat their main feed but get a boost from mealworms when needed.
To use them correctly:
Offer mealworms 2–3 times per week.
Keep portions small.
Never give mealworms before the main feed.
During molting, offer a little more, but still maintain balance.
Scatter mealworms on the ground to increase activity and natural foraging.
This method keeps hens happy, active, and productive without harming their health or egg quality.
Commercial layer feed is essential for strong eggs, steady laying, and balanced nutrition. It gives hens all the minerals, vitamins, energy, and protein they need every day. Mealworms, while extremely useful, do not have the full nutrient range needed to replace layer feed.
Instead, mealworms are a powerful bonus. They add protein, improve energy levels, and support hens during molting, cold seasons, and recovery. When used together, layer feed maintains daily nutrient balance, and mealworms provide helpful extra support.
The best results come from combining both in the right way. Keep layer feed as the main diet and use mealworms as a small, controlled supplement. This gives you healthier hens, better feathers, and strong, consistent eggs.
At Promeal, we know how important it is to give your pets a healthy and varied diet. That’s why we create high-quality, natural pet food to keep them happy and healthy.
Our speciality is premium live and dried insect-based feeds like mealworms, superworms, crickets, roaches, waxworms, and hornworms. These insects are grown on an organic diet, making them a nutritious and tasty treat for your pets.
Check out our "Shop" section to find the perfect food for your pets!