Anyone using a Bio-Pod? to make Cheap Chicken Food

[mountaintopchicken]

I may be saved from the dire need to immediately buy a Bio-Pod by the following information: it is not designed to be used indoors, and the buggies won't survive my extreme winter conditions. So it could only be used in the warmer months.

The info is on this page if you scroll down.

http://www.thebiopod.com/pages/resources.html

Apparently black soldier flies can only be successfully raised in the winter in northern cold climates if you have a greenhouse to do it in. Something about them needing natural light to mate?

I still want one... I'll probably jump into Black Soldier Fly raising in the spring, either in a biopod or some kind of homemade contraption.

 

[canada-goose]

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oh mine live in their door ways as well I wonder why, I hate them whenever I go to close one to switch runs they fall out.

Chickens adore earwigs! And they aren't bad compared to slugs. I hate slugs.

 

[Dragonfly Ranch]

I have been finding tomato worms on my peppers (8 total) - now talk about something gross

Even the chickens don't really like them.

The article did say that Bio Pod are only for zones 7 thru 10. However the author of the article was in zone 6b. We have only had them here in late spring. This year a bear smashed our compost bin so didn't have that many.

Now we have an enclosed compost bin that spins so not sure what we are going to get this coming year.

Sandee

 

[Tweeza]

I have a BioPod and love it! I put mine in a shed last year and had larvae pretty steady (not massive amounts toward the end) until February and then in spurts for a month or two more. Some also never crawled out but pupated (sp, became adults) right in the bin.

You might try searching the forum. There's been other postings on the subject.

I personally think they are the most healthy bug you could feed to your flock. They're supposed to be high in lauric acid which would/could help fight cocci.

Check out this link: http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/waste_mgt/smithfield_projects/phase2report05/cd,web files/A2.pdf

 

[1birdlady]

I have been finding tomato worms on my peppers (8 total) - now talk about something gross sickbyc Even the chickens don't really like them.

Our chickens "skinned" them and we found the empties around their run...ick!

We have a bed where we throw old coffee grounds and banana peels, and the BSF are supposed to like them and are indigenous here, but so far, no sign of them....
This bed is then periodically covered with the poopy hay from their aviary.

Hmmm...is there another BSF attractant?

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

Check out this thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=11556

And this website:
http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/

The owner of that blog is a member here at BYC and sells biopods and provides lots of support.

 

[Tweeza]

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From experience, he gives the best support one could ask for. I purchased mine from him and have been a very satisfied customer!!!

 

[Tweeza]

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From what I've been told banana peels are sprayed with pesticides before being shipped to the US.

I had a 5 gal. bucket of coffee grounds I'd gotten from IHOP. The lid was broken and before I could feed it to the larvae in the BioPod the bucket was full of larvae!

 

[Dragonfly Ranch]

WOW! I LOVE this site - ask and you shall receive such wonderful information. Thanks everyone this is great I'm going to read all the links and get going on raising my own little buggers.

Sandee