Things You'll Need
- Magnifying glass
Instructions
Look at the grain in the chicken feed with a magnifying glass. There are several kinds of critters that love grain and attach themselves to the grain and then lay eggs. Indian meal moths and weevils are among the most common grain-dwellers.
Check the color of the bugs. A granary weevil is black or chestnut brown. Rice weevils are reddish brown to darker black with red or yellow spots.
Look for wings. The Indian meal moth is a small grain pest with a 3/4-inch wingspan. Rice weevils have two sets of clear wings, although one set is usually tucked under the body.
Smell the grain. A foul smell might indicate mold or bacteria, which is ideal for some incubating larvae.
Look for holes in the kernels. Granary weevils burrow into the dry kernels and lay their larvae inside to hatch.
Use a magnifying glass to look closely at the insect or larvae. Wear gloves if you need to move grains or feed around. Discard any unusable feed immediately. Wash your hands thoroughly after inspecting the feed.