Adding Earthworms to Coop Bedding?

[Toad9000]

Has anyone tried adding earthworms directly to coop bedding? I have 5 Khaki Campbells in a ~5x5' coop. Linoleum flooring with deep litter pine shavings on top. I had a good number of nightcrawlers left over from a fishing trip the other day, and I figured I'd toss them in the coop. Thought process being that they can help break down the lower layers of bedding and that they might also help clean up after the ducks. And every once in a while, one or two might surface and be a nice little snack for the ducks. Has anyone else tried doing this and seen any success? My ducks spill enough water that I'm not worried about the things drying out.

 

[Buckeye Amy]

Earth worms (night crawlers) won't survive in that situation. They require earth that is 6 to 8 feet deep, cold and constantly moist. Your ducks will find them quickly too.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

You're better off using them for a dedicated compost bin or a worm bin. If they do manage to survive then you also need to think about when you do a deep clean that you'll likely take them out with the bedding.

 

[Buckeye Amy]

Just an FYI...The species used for compost bins is Eisenia fetida, or Redworms. I used to have 8 worm bins running in the basement of my former house. Earth worms, (genus Lumbricus) will not survive a compost situation.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

I did not realize that! Thanks for the lesson

 

[Buckeye Amy]

I did not realize that! Thanks for the lesson

Oh sure! Worms are pretty cool, and I rarely get to talk about them anymore!

 

[Toad9000]

Just an FYI...The species used for compost bins is Eisenia fetida, or Redworms. I used to have 8 worm bins running in the basement of my former house. Earth worms, (genus Lumbricus) will not survive a compost situation.

Interesting. I have had night crawlers in my compost bin for 3 or 4 months now and seem to be doing swimmingly. They're reproducing in there for sure. Maybe long term they won't survive, but so far they seem very happy. Either way, I figure a few worms in the coop sure aren't gonna hurt anything. But I thought they might have potential to bring cool benefits.

 

[Toad9000]

You're better off using them for a dedicated compost bin or a worm bin. If they do manage to survive then you also need to think about when you do a deep clean that you'll likely take them out with the bedding.

My place is crawling with worms and I have plenty in my compost/vermipost bin. Won't be too hard to find more. Here's hoping they survive. They made it one night at least, girlfriend found a couple while she was turning over the bedding today.