Small farm · Live feed · Manistee, MI

The freshest feed,
straight from the soil.

Premium live mealworms grown with care — delivered to your backyard flock or scaly family member.

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Naturally raised

No hormones, no fillers. Just clean substrate and wholesome feed.

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Fresh shipping

Packed carefully and shipped fast so every worm arrives lively.

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Flock-approved

High-protein treats your chickens and reptiles will go crazy for.

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Small & local

A real small business from Manistee — you’re supporting a family farm, not a factory.

From backyard coops to vivarium dens

Whether you’re keeping a flock of hens or a bearded dragon who refuses anything less than the finest, NeedForFeed has the live and dried mealworms to keep your animals healthy and happy.

Backyard chicken keepers

Mealworms are the ultimate high-protein treat for laying hens, bantams, and heritage breeds. Watch the flock go absolutely wild — and reward them for it.

Reptile & exotic pet owners

Bearded dragons, leopard geckos, and blue-tongue skinks all thrive on live mealworms. Perfect feeder insects for a balanced and enriching diet.

How to order: Click any “Order” button below to open an email to us. Just let us know what you’d like and your shipping address, and we’ll reply with a total and payment instructions. Orders typically ship within 1–3 business days. Live mealworms ship Monday–Wednesday.

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Best seller

Live mealworms — 500 ct

Our most popular size. Great for weekly feeding or getting started with live feed.

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Great value

Live mealworms — 1,000 ct

Perfect for multi-pet households or stocking up for treat season.

Convenient

Dried mealworms — 4 oz

Long shelf life. Toss into a feeder or mix with feed. No refrigeration needed.

Stock up

Dried mealworms — 1 lb

Our bulk dried option. Best price per ounce for regular feeders.

Our story

Humble beginnings from a shoebox. Still a growing and lively business.

How it began

NeedForFeed started exactly the way most great things do — small, scrappy, and in a shoebox. What began as a tiny experiment grew into a real operation, driven by the simple idea that animals deserve fresh, clean, naturally-raised feed.

We found that our chickens were healthier, more active, and laying better eggs when we supplemented their diet with live mealworms. Our reptiles were thriving too. It wasn’t long before friends and neighbors were asking where they could get some.

How we raise our worms

We raise Tenebrio molitor — the common mealworm — from larvae through their full life cycle in a climate-controlled environment right here in Manistee, MI. Our substrate is a clean blend of oats and bran, with fresh fruits and vegetables for moisture. No pesticides, no additives, no shortcuts.

Every batch is inspected before packing. We only ship healthy, lively worms — because your animals deserve nothing less.

Clean feedNatural substrate only
Freshness firstShipped within 24 hrs
Small batchNever factory farmed

Who we are

We’re a small family operation based in Manistee, Michigan. This isn’t a warehouse operation — it’s a real farm run by people who actually care about what their animals eat. When you order from us, you’re getting the same worms we feed our own flock every single day.

Questions or custom orders? We love hearing from customers. Reach us at lifecelium@gmail.com

Ordering & shipping
Click any “Order” button in our shop — it will open a pre-filled email to us. Just confirm what you’d like and your shipping address, and we’ll reply with a total and payment instructions.
Most orders ship within 1–3 business days. Live mealworms ship Monday through Wednesday to avoid sitting in a carrier warehouse over the weekend. You’ll get a confirmation with tracking info.
Yes! We pack live orders with insulating material to protect them during transit. In extreme cold (below 10°F), we may hold an order briefly for the worms’ safety — we’ll let you know if that applies to yours.
We stand behind our product. If your worms arrive in poor condition, send us a quick email with a photo and we’ll make it right — either a replacement shipment or a full refund, your choice.
Chickens & flocks
Mealworms are a treat, not a staple — keep them to about 10% of daily diet. For a small flock of 4–6 hens, a small handful (around 20–30 worms) a few times a week is plenty and plenty exciting for them.
We recommend waiting until chicks are at least 6 weeks old before introducing mealworms. When you do start, offer small amounts alongside chick grit to help them digest the extra protein.
Reptiles & exotic pets
Yes — mealworms are a great feeder insect for bearded dragons, especially juveniles and adults. They’re high in protein and fat. Use them as part of a varied diet alongside crickets, dubia roaches, and leafy greens.
Leopard geckos, blue-tongue skinks, tegus, and many other insectivorous or omnivorous reptiles enjoy mealworms. Always research the specific dietary needs of your species and consult your vet for guidance.
Storing your mealworms
Keep them in the fridge (40–50°F) in their container with a piece of carrot or potato for moisture. This puts them in a dormant state and they’ll keep for several weeks. Take out what you need, let them warm up, and feed.
Dried mealworms have a shelf life of around 12 months when stored in a cool, dry place in a sealed container. No refrigeration required — just keep them out of humidity and direct sunlight.