better way to find out earthworm

[mulia24]

hi all, i just want to know how to find out earthworm on our backyard faster and easier. this is not kind of "being idle or lazy" but the quickest and the faster in finding them will be better.

i realize that many way is available to do it, by dripping water, by dark of night, after rain, by finding behind rock or leaves, place newspaper and etc. but i'm wondering if there are other way.

i just googled and find out the other way by making "vibration" by pitchfork and they will get out, but i don't have one.


i see that there are articles of making "electric worm chaser" but i don't understand it because my lack of ability in using english. i just hope of there are anyone who know that way or other way then post it here. i'm going to make earthworm farm to feed my girls so they have protein enough to lay and grow their feather that have been "baldy" cause of my cruel rooster doing and so long haven't grow so i need to find them firstly.

i do appreciate any help and advice, thank you so much for helping, advising and or commenting.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

The simplest as surprisingly the most interesting way to to fiddle worms.

The old way was to dig a small hole an stick a long bladed hand saw in the hole an play it like a violin.

The idea is that the ground vibrating runs them out of the ground.

I would think it would be simpler to sit a small gas engine on a hole. Something like a weed eater engine.

Worms also come out of the ground in heavy rain storms.

 

[mulia24]

yes, i have read it from internet, i will try it first of course tomorrow morning. its midnight here now.

 

[jthayerkatz]

We used to wet the ground and then place sheets of plywood on the wet ground and wait for dusk. gently lift the wood and collect a whole coffe can full of big fat worms that way.

I would like to suggest an altenative source of feeding your girls though. if you take a large can or small bucket and drill some holes around the bottom and the lower part of the sides. use a rotten piece of meat or dead animal something that most people would throw away, or even some entrails if you can get them. hang the can or bucket a few feet off the ground above were you keep your birds. after a couple of days the flies will lay eggs on the rotten meat and maggots will start to grow. they will fall through the holes that you drilled and into the area where the birds are - providing them with a source of high protien food. I know that this may sound disgusting, but I have seen a guy on the internet here in the states that does this with great success and you wont believe how much your birds will love them.

 

[tulie13]

Quote:
There have been other posts on the forums about feeding maggots to your chickens - apparently it can cause botulism due to the maggots being full of rotting food in THEIR bellies (or whatever passes for a maggot tummy). If you try something like this, don't feed them TONS of these, they might get sick. I'd do more research before considering something like this.

You can start a worm bin to breed and keep worms, and if you put some cabbage in there to rot, you might attract some soldier flies - their larvae are supposed to be good for chickens. It's a "maggot", but not the same as the regular fly maggot. Not sure of the difference as far as the safety vs. botulism and the like, other than them feeding on rotting compost/vegetable matter instead of rotting meat...

 

[Judy]

Earthworms can carry parasites. They are probably going to find them, but I see no reason to encourage it.

 

[mulia24]

so, everyone, what do you suggest me the better but not too difficult and costly way how to provide better nutrient for my girls and roost?

now i just feed them with cracked corn, rice and sometimes fruit and vegetables.


then, i need protein supply and other nutrition for them, what do you suggest everyone?

since we have read below that earthworm carry parasites and maggot bring botulism.

actually, i ve beenn hunting worm at my backyard and only find 2.

thank you for any answer.

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Yes, purchase some mealworms from sillybirds on the forum.
I have a whole bunch of them growing for my chickens and bearded dragon and it is great. They are very easy to keep. No problem and no stink. I have the ones that were from the "kit" sitting here right next to me in my office and they take up very little room.
I have the rest that I bought out in the garage in an old 75 gallon fish tank. I have the top on (which keeps most of the moisture in and still gives some air circulation. In the winter I will bring them in and put them in large totes if I haven't managed to kill them.
Just add a cut potato or a few baby carrots now and then to the wheat bran they live in and they are happy.

 

[Reinbeau]

Can sillybirds ship to Indonesia? That's where Mulia24 is.

Mulia, do you have a source for mealworms in your country? It might be easier for you to find a local source. Do you have anything like a pet or farm supply store? They may be able to help you if such a thing exists there.

 

[mulia24]

Quote:
what????? ships to indonesia a box of mealworm? i believe that all of them will be died on "journey". even with the x ray on check even worse. it took weeks to ship from USA to here (i think).