I have bought dried mealworms from Urbanmat for several years. It started long before Linda and Vidar took over the shop in 2025. I was happy when I heard that Urbanmat had new owners. Then I knew I still had a place to buy mealworms.
Before they took over, Urbanmat had a fairly small selection, but their mealworms were very popular with my quails. So I happily shopped there from time to time.
Since the change of ownership the range has grown a lot. A LOT! Now you will find all kinds of dried insects, special mixes, fruit, vegetables, oyster shell and several types of feed in the online shop. It is also not unusual for a small sample to be included when you order something.
In this article I write about my experiences with mealworms, a test of Garvo feed and three snack mixes. The goal is to see what the animals choose first, and whether they prefer one mix over the others.
Transparency
I have received free samples of Garvo 5036 Quailmixture, Garvo 1080 Alfamix, Garvo 5030 Scratcher Layer Pellets, Garvo 5145 Mixed corn and seeds, Insektsfest (bug party), Rotterace (rot race) and Puffa (puffy) from Urbanmat.
The mealworms I have bought and paid for myself.
Receiving some products for free does not affect my assessments. Here you get my — and the animals' — honest feedback.
Who is taking part in the test?
The products are tried by four hens and one rooster, in addition to three quail species:
The three snack mixes are tried by all the animals. The feed products are only assessed for the animal groups they are intended for.
What kind of test is this?
This is a simple taste test and first-impression test. I look at how the products appear, what the animals choose first, and how they react right away. I have not tested the products over time.
I also check the nutritional content against what is recommended for the different animals.
Testing Garvo feed from Urbanmat
Urbanmat sells feed from the Dutch producer Garvo. I have received four different types.
The animals' reaction is part of the assessment, but so are nutritional content and suitability. The table shows the most important differences between the products I have looked at.
| Product | Protein | Calcium | My assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garvo 5036 Quailmixture | 14.5 % | 0.587 % | A varied mix, but too little protein as the only feed for quails. The feed also contains too little calcium for egg-laying quails. Better suited as a supplement or snack. Read the assessment ↓ |
| Garvo 1080 Alfamix | 15 % | 2.70 % | Complete grain mix for young hens from around eight weeks. Read the assessment ↓ |
| Garvo 5030 Scratcher Layer Pellets | 13.5 % | 4.315 % | Complete pellet feed for adult laying hens. Should not be given as a complete feed to roosters. Not intended for, or tested on, quails. Read the assessment ↓ |
| Garvo 5145 Mixed corn and seeds | 10 % | Not stated | Supplementary feed for adult chickens, not a complete feed. Can be given as a snack or supplement to quails. Read the assessment ↓ |
Garvo 5036 Quailmixture
Garvo 5036 Quailmixture is sold as a complete mix for quails and small gallinaceous birds.
I like that it contains grit that helps with digestion, but if you choose this as the main feed you must be prepared to provide both protein supplements and oyster shell on the side. Feel free to read Oyster shell for quail: an important source of calcium.
The protein content is stated at 14.5 percent. That is considerably lower than what is recommended as a complete feed for quails.
Feel free to read the article What to feed quails and common feeding mistakes to avoid for an overview of nutritional needs in different life stages.
The calcium content is stated at 5.87 grams per kilo, or 0.587 percent. Egg-laying Japanese Quail need more calcium than this. They must therefore have access to a separate calcium source, such as oyster shell.
I think this is best suited as a supplement and enrichment in periods. It has a nice blend of grains, seeds, legumes, mini pellets, shells, calcareous algae and grit. It gives the quails several types of pieces to choose between, and the mix gives them something to work with as they pick out what they like.
Read more about Garvo 5036 Quailmixture at Urbanmat
Garvo 1080 Alfamix
Garvo 1080 Alfamix is a complete grain mix for young hens from around eight weeks of age. It contains pellets, seeds, vegetables and gammarus. The protein content is 15 percent and the calcium content 2.70 percent.
Even though it is aimed at young birds, it is not suitable as a starter feed for newly hatched chicks.
Urbanmat states that it suits young hens from around eight weeks of age. My hens have just started laying eggs, so they are still fairly young and have got to try this mix.
This is not intended or suitable as a complete feed for the quails, but can be given as a snack or enrichment in small amounts. It is nice to give them some variation.
Read more about Garvo 1080 Alfamix at Urbanmat
Garvo 5030 Scratcher Layer Pellets
Garvo 5030 Scratcher Layer Pellets is a pellet feed for adult laying hens. It has 13.5 percent protein and 4.315 percent calcium.
The nutritional content is aimed at hens that lay eggs, so this sample is mainly tested on the hens. I do have a rooster living with them, and he should not have this as his main feed. That is always the challenge when you keep hens and roosters together. In that case I prefer a universal feed that everyone can eat as their main feed, and rather offer oyster shell or calcium on the side.
This is not intended or suitable as a complete feed for quails, mainly because the protein content is too low and the calcium content a bit on the high side.
Read more about Garvo 5030 Scratcher Layer Pellets at Urbanmat
Garvo 5145 Mixed corn and seeds
Garvo 5145 Mixed corn and seeds contains barley, wheat, cracked maize, red dari, black sunflower seeds and buckwheat. It is a coarse mix with 10 percent protein.
This is a supplementary feed for adult chickens. It should be used alongside a balanced main feed. The grain mix is not complete on its own.
Even though this is made as a supplementary feed for chickens, I will definitely give it as a snack to the quails. Because I just know they are going to like this mix.
Read more about Garvo 5145 Mixed corn and seeds at Urbanmat
The taste test: three Garvo varieties side by side
I placed Garvo 5145 Mixed corn and seeds, Garvo 1080 Alfamix and Garvo 5030 Scratcher Layer Pellets side by side on a plank and watched what was eaten. These three products are intended for chickens, so I tested them on the hens. This is a first-impression and taste test, not an assessment of the feed over time.
The video shows which variety they finished first, which came second, and which they ate last. Everything was eaten! Gradually it became clear that they ate variety by variety, instead of alternating evenly between the three.
The four hens did most of the eating. That was actually fine, since Garvo 1080 is intended for young hens and Garvo 5030 for laying hens. With the calcium content in these two, I would not have used them as a permanent main feed for the rooster over time.
The rooster stayed a bit more on the sidelines. He was somewhat interested, but always lets the hens eat first and was not tempted to take the food from them. He was a gentleman.
The snack test: Insektsfest (bug party), Rotterace (rot race) and Puffa (puffy)
I like the names of these snack mixes. They are blended by Urbanmat themselves.
Here is a small overview of the snack products I am testing:
| Mix | What does it contain? |
|---|---|
| Insektsfest (bug party) | Equal amounts of mealworms, mini shrimps, maggots, grasshoppers, cicadas, black soldier fly larvae and gammarus. |
| Rotterace (rot race) | 20 % Black Soldier Fly and 10 % each of sunflower seeds, carrot, apple, banana, rolled maize, pea flakes, alfalfa pellets and linseed. |
| Puffa (puffy) | Puffed maize, puffed quinoa, puffed amaranth and puffed barley. |
| Dried mealworms | Dried mealworms, a natural product without additives. |
Insektsfest (bug party)
Insektsfest (bug party) contains all seven of the dried insects and aquatic creatures Urbanmat has in its range, mixed in equal amounts.
The bag contains mealworms, mini shrimps, maggots, grasshoppers, cicadas, black soldier fly larvae and gammarus. It is made for poultry, pond fish, rodents and reptiles.
This is the one of the three mixes with the greatest variation in animal ingredients.
Read more about Insektsfest at Urbanmat
Rotterace (rot race)
Rotterace (rot race) is a mix for omnivorous rodents, but it also works well as a snack for poultry. It combines Black Soldier Fly with sunflower seeds, linseed, maize, peas and pieces of carrot, apple and banana.
Compared with Insektsfest (bug party), Rotterace (rot race) has fruit, vegetables and seeds, and only one type of insect. That makes the test extra interesting: will the quails and chickens choose a pure insect mix, or a mix with both animal and plant-based ingredients?
Read more about Rotterace at Urbanmat
Puffa (puffy)
«Puffa» (puffy) is a mix of puffed maize, puffed quinoa, puffed amaranth and puffed barley. In the online shop of Urbanmat it is not sold as the mixed bag I am testing now, but as individual products.
It looks like Puffa is on its way out of the range, and the puffed products were discounted. Check the online shop of Urbanmat for current availability.
Either way, I have of course tested this «Puffa» mix.
My rooster is usually good at giving the hens food first. When Puffa comes out, he pushes through and takes some himself. That says quite a lot about how much he likes it.
The Northern Bobwhites have their own strategy. They take one piece and run off with it, so they can eat it in peace.
The little Blue-breasted quails I choose to spare from this one. The pieces are very large, a bit on the big side for regular Japanese Quail too, I would say.
That is why I would mainly recommend «Puffa» as a snack for adult chickens.
Read more about Puffa at Urbanmat
Dried mealworms
Dried mealworms are a favourite here on the farm. We have used mealworms for a long time, and we already know they work. That is why I first want to show what happens when they get something I know they like.
It turns into chaos.
All three quail species usually like mealworms. There are a few individuals that do not eat them, and that is probably just personal preference. All in all, mealworms are a clear winner here.
The hens and the rooster love them too.
Mealworms are rich in protein and should be given as a snack in moderate amounts. I like to give them by hand.
When the quails and hens get a little treat every time I stop by, they associate me with something positive.
The Blue-breasted quail males are very attentive to their females. They often do not eat that much themselves. Instead they serve their ladies and lie flat as a pancake on their side while doing so.
The mealworms can be given dry straight from the bag. For younger animals they can be crushed or soaked. This is a snack that should be given in moderation, not a complete main feed.
Read more about dried mealworms at Urbanmat
Which snack won?
The mealworms keep their place as a well-known favourite, but they are not competing against the three new mixes. The winner among Insektsfest (bug party), Rotterace (rot race) and Puffa (puffy) must be decided by the simultaneous test.
Whatever the result, this is a snapshot from my animals. Another flock may have other favourites. It is also completely normal for individuals to choose differently from the rest.
Common questions about snacks and feed
Can all the snacks be tried by both chickens and quails?
Yes. Insektsfest (bug party), Rotterace (rot race), Puffa (puffy) and mealworms can be tried by the animals in this test. Give small amounts, adjust the piece size, and see how each animal reacts.
Are mealworms a complete feed?
No. Mealworms are a protein-rich snack and a supplement. They should not replace a balanced main feed.
Can Garvo 5036 be used alone for quails?
No, with 14.5 percent protein the quails need more protein on the side. Egg-laying quails also need a separate calcium source.
Why did the quails not get Garvo 5145?
It is a coarse grain mix with 10 percent protein, made as a supplement for adult chickens. The nutritional content means I do not use it in the quail test.
Does the first choice show which snack is healthiest?
No. The first choice shows what seems most tempting there and then. Nutritional content and the right amount are assessed separately.
Product links
- Insektsfest (bug party)
- Dried mealworms
- Rotterace (rot race)
- Puffed maize
- Puffed amaranth
- Puffed quinoa
- Puffed barley
- Garvo 5036 Quailmixture
- Garvo 1080 Alfamix
- Garvo 5030 Scratcher Layer Pellets
- Garvo 5145 Mixed corn and seeds
Product information and nutritional figures are taken from Urbanmat. Range, prices and product texts may change.
