Can you keep "growing" mealworms?

[KnitswithChickens]

I bought some mealworms today as treats for my chickies - they were so darned expensive. Is there a way to keep them going so I don't have to buy them again?

 

[marytoast]

I don't know but I saw dried meal worms today. It was about 2 cups for 16.99. Too much for chicken treats!!! I hope someone can help. I remember someone had a thread about keeping mealworms.

 

[Chicky Mama]

As far as I know from my daughters school project eventually they'll turn into some type of beetle or moth,she's not here to ask. If you can search online or at the ol' library for meal worms and worms you should find some info. I usually get worms at the bait shops where I live. Petco has a 50 cnt. on m.worms for about $3,they had different sizes on crickets too. I'm looking into growing worms for our birds. They're easy to keep, they breed quick, and are good for gardens and compost. You should definetly find worm options around,there are worm farmers out there. I cut them up since we have quit afew birds, they go farther.

 

[rmelvin23]

Worm bins are very easy and great for kitchen scraps. They eat anything but meat, fat and feces. I thought that my chickens would love them, but noone would touch them. I will try another day, maybe they were just full. My girls love the rolly polly bugs. They are what I would like to breed for chicken treats.

 

[Chicky Mama]

If you have'nt try cutting up the worms,I use old garden scissors.
Also a lil treat that's free is those flies we all love,when you swat 'em put 'em in somthing until you have enough for your birds.Ours love'em and we got plenty of bleep'in flies around,it just takes a bit to collect enough. Anything that moves they're on it!

 

[Monk]

Here's a link to Raising Mealworms...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=74575&p=1

 

[KnitswithChickens]

Thats a great link Monk, thanks. Once I start my mealworm farm, my Dh will know I've finally lost my mind!

 

[babyspice35]

Breeding rollie-pollie bugs, awesome idea

Mine just eat all of the cockroaches running around in the back and love em!

You could probably breed those easily, too...

If you wanted to

 

[rmelvin23]

No thanks on the roach breeding. Here in orlando there are plenty and I refuse to raise anything that I do not want to touch.

 

[Blue Hill Farm]

Cockroaches, NO WAY! LoL I have 500 meal worms on route to start my future " treat-farm" for my chickies.

I used to have meal worms when I had lizards and they are very easy to keep. Just throw them in a lidded pail (with air holes of course) of bran (bulk at the grocery store) and add a quartered potato. Works like a charm.