Mealworm farming

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They're bea-u-ti-ful!!!!

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They're bea-u-ti-ful!!!!

Totally excited! I am going back downstairs to gawk at them again

Give them their carrots, apple, kiwi and let 'em grow!!!! Yey!

Isn't it exciting to get started on them??
We still all stop and stare into the mealie bin as we go in and out the door. They are interesting to watch move around the tub.

Okay, who said people eat them? Who would be so mean to take a mealworm from the beak of a hungry chicken? How mean. Let humans grub in the dirt for their own worms, I say, and keep out of the mealworm ranch.

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lol... I was curious about that and found this site: http://www.hollowtop.com/finl_html/mealworms.htm

Disclaimer: I think I'd have to be on the verge of starvation before I'd actually consider using those recipes!

I've been raising mealworms for several months now (using layer feed for bedding and carrots for moisture). I'm also raising superworms -- much more labor intensive -- but not too bad once you get a good colony going. The chickens go bonkers for both types, and the wild rooster that has been hanging around the pen no longer runs away when he sees me... he waits patiently, knowing there are treats in store for him.

Another great feeder insect is the black soldier fly grub. I invested in a biopod not long ago and it's working well. The grubs (actually maggots) are more nutritious than either mealworms or superworms, and they serve a dual purpose in that they recycle all my veggie and fruit leftovers. I supplement though, since I live alone and don't create enough food scraps to keep them going. My solution has been to buy cracked corn at the feed store. I simmer the corn until the water is absorbed and it's nice and moist, and once it cools off I mix in some layer feed then pour it all into the biopod.

Raising feeder insects does require a little time and attention, but it's worth it because it results in such happy chickens!

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Well, to say I am behind in my meal worm farming is an understatement!
I now have beetles in my mealie bin!
Those things think they are supposed to reproduce at light speed. Or any speed faster than me and that isn't saying much.

I have now started another bin and will eventually get them moved to it because it is all wheat bran.
I must say that it totally adorable to watch the babies fight over the few I give them. I am so stingy with them though because I want then to reproduce instead of feeding what I will need for next winter.

Although, at the rate they are maturing maybe I will have babies sooner than I thought, too!

I just ordered 5,000 of the large mealworms from Grubco. I must be outta my mind.

One of the 30 or 40 larvae that I got from PetSmart this week is pupating. I had DH pick up a bag of wheat bran from the feed store. They only come in 50 lb bags. EEEK!