Are mixed insects OK to feed?

http://www.ratrations.com/mixed-insects-p-412.html

My hedgie won't touch live food but loves his dried mealworms so I wondered if these would be OK to feed as an occasional treat? Has anyone heard anything to put them off? Thank you

Mixed Dried Insects is a mixture of insects and worms as described below.

Used as a treat, it is high in proteins and fats.

Typical Analysis:

Crickets 12%

Earthworms 24%

Mealworms 40%

Silkworm Pupae 24%

Protein 58%, Fat 19.5%, Fibre 4.5%, Moisture 8%, Ash 6%

hi not to sure about this Im sure someone else will be along with more info

but Im sure i have read a post on here say NO to earthworms

will try and find link to it if nobody else posts it

found this have a read

http://www.pygmyhogsuk.com/t18403-snails-earthworms-lungworm-and-no

Thanks, I think I'll order the bits I know are safe separately and make my own mix to be on the safe side.

Discussion about that specific mix:
http://www.pygmyhogsuk.com/t15143-insect-mix-okay-or-not?highlight=insect

JungleGold = RatRations, and vice versa, same company.

I'd still worry about over-feeding dried, and the earthworms would put me off. Fat/protein would be okay for the occasional treat though.

Anyone seen this mix at Wilkinson or know what's in it?

Haven't seen it in store, but I'm in Wilkinsons on Thursday, and will have a looksie for it

Did you find it at your store, Kiania?

I bought a pot of this now because it looks suitable but all it says on it is "Insects". I haven't opened it yet, I'm determined to figure out what's actually in it before I give her any. It looks like it's just mealworms and a type of bug. Can anyone identify it from the Wilkinson's photo? Is it a roach? Maybe I'll put up my own photo if I can't figure it out soon.

Nope, the one in Reading didn't have it.

I can't tell what is inside - could be a roach from the colour, but it could be anything really If you put up a photo of one, I'll have a better go at identifying it

Sorry, I forgot about this thread again. I actually emailed Wilkinson about it a while ago who contacted their buying department. They eventually replied that their "Insect Medley" was made up of:

Dried Mealworms 30 %
Dried Silkworms 35 %
Dried fly bugs 35 %

Which was nice of them but it didn't help much as I have no idea what a "fly bug" is! Anyone?

I didn't take a photo as I've still not even opened the packet yet but I probably should to solve the mystery.

I would assume it means "Assorted flying insects people would term 'flies'"

That would make sense. I guess "OK to feed" then? Thanks for your help.

I'm not a fan of dried insects...and not knowing what the flies are would worry me. But the latter because I've never heard of anyone feeding a hog flies.

Thanks, no me neither. I've stopped feeding her dried anyway recently since I have a really good live supplier just around the corner now.

The reason for not feeding hogs earthworms is because of the risk of infestation by parasites. A freeze dried worm is safe because any parasites will be dead and therefore not a risk. There is nothing wrong with feeding any dried insect as a treat item as they are harmless but they should be fed in limited quantity so as to limit fat intake.

There are 'insect' mixes which contain crustaceans, however....little shrimp-like things which are clearly not insects! These should be avoided due to the 'no fish' policy of hog keeping....though even that is over egging the bread a bit as the 'no fish' has come from some bad reactions in just a few hogs and has turned into a major no-go area and yet most hogs would not react at all. I have had fish flavoured cat biscuits delivered by Tesco home delivery, in error, and have fed them to my hogs before realising....never had a bad reaction in any of them and they LOVED them! I also know at least two people who regularly give their hogs fresh cooked fish as they had not heard of the no fish policy and they have never had issues. I still don't intentionally buy fish flavours as you never know and there are so many non-fish choices, it isn't worth the risk but never-the-less, I am of the belief that there are probably no more fish intollerant hoggies than there are, proportionally, shellfish intollerant humans and we haven't banned fish from our own menus! Lol! x