Earthworms, Mealworms, Black Soldier Fly Larvae, Crickets...

[bbsnooks]

All of the above is normal behavior. When you buy the from the store, they went dormant because of the cold refrigerator. They morphe once they warm up because they see that as the cycle of turning from winter to fall. You will get a large amount of beetles after each container and then it will all "seem" to die.

When I started mine, I added a new 500 count container every month for four months. That offset the cycle and gives me a constant rotation of worms.eventually, all colonies should reach that point, though.

After the larvae stage, the worms turn into pupae. Those are the thicker, white grubs that don't move. This is also normal. During the final phase of this stage, they should resemble whitish beetles and will be on their backs. They flail their feet in an attempt to flip over. As the beatles grow older they get significantly darker, hence the name darkling beetle.

Hope this clarifies things. They are extremey easy to maintain and the girls LOVE them.

Thanks for that info..
how many chickens do you feed with the colony..
and do you save / chill some from the high production in summer for the winter months.. or.. just feed less then.

 

[Demosthine]

I currently have 11 chickens and we give them as a treat every couple of days. It is not a substitute for food, of course, just an added protein source and a nice little snack.

I have them inside the house and keep them in a 10-gallon aquarium. Because our house is somewhat temperature regulated, their production continued very well all winter long. It usually didn't drop below 65* in the house, which is still in their comfort range, although they absolutely thrive at 80* or higher. There isn't much of a smell at all, so keeping them inside is no problem. Believe me, my wife would kick me and my worms out if she caught a stench.

 

[ellie32526]

I hope this is not a problem but I wanted to share this with anyone who is interested in harvesting black soldier flies. http://gardenpool.org/beneficial-insects/black-soldier-fly-composter-automatic-chicken-feeder

 

[vols6286]

I live in Somerville an work in Collierville. We just got chickens recently and I was searching the forum tonight. Would it be possible to arrange a time to look at your BSF setup? I'm almost finished with my coop. I've got nine little girls that my daughter and I are having a ball with.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[ellie32526]

I live in Somerville an work in Collierville. We just got chickens recently and I was searching the forum tonight. Would it be possible to arrange a time to look at your BSF setup? I'm almost finished with my coop. I've got nine little girls that my daughter and I are having a ball with.

Thanks,
Mark

I too enjoy watching my "chicken TV" I'm not sure who your comment is directed to, but the link I posted is not for my BSF setup - at least not yet. It is one I found doing my own search on the Web so I thought I would share. The link has a very well explained set of instructions (pictures and illustrations included) and seems fairly simple to set up. My sweet unsuspecting husband does not yet know that this is our next project. He thinks he is finished with the chicken house. tee hee !

 

[bbsnooks]

I hope this is not a problem but I wanted to share this with anyone who is interested in harvesting black soldier flies. http://gardenpool.org/beneficial-insects/black-soldier-fly-composter-automatic-chicken-feeder

First you should know that the BSF season will be fairly short where you live; probably around four months.

Since buying larvae is optional there is really no right answer to how many you might buy. More is better but they can get expensive. 1000 or even 5000 is not a large number considering how many times more than that you'll need. If you don't plan on allowing the purchased larvae to pupate, and then controlling their reproduction in an enclosure - the biggest advantage of buying larvae is that the scent they create as they develop is great for attracting local wild BSF to lay eggs.

yes.. short season.
I did just purchase 600 small.. we'll see how fast they grow.. I'll feed these. and maybe try to gather the eggs when they mature/mate. I'll be looking on your blog for more ideas on what they lay eggs on .. Thx geedub.

 

[bbsnooks]

I currently have 11 chickens and we give them as a treat every couple of days. It is not a substitute for food, of course, just an added protein source and a nice little snack.

I have them inside the house and keep them in a 10-gallon aquarium. Because our house is somewhat temperature regulated, their production continued very well all winter long. It usually didn't drop below 65* in the house, which is still in their comfort range, although they absolutely thrive at 80* or higher. There isn't much of a smell at all, so keeping them inside is no problem. Believe me, my wife would kick me and my worms out if she caught a stench.

I just ordered.. a multi size.. lot of 8000..meal worms -- should help get started.. toadd to my 50..
- I'm going to start the chicks.. off with some in a week or 2.. - get them used to going for the bug's..
( my other 2 chickens.. - I had to teach..to eat them the mealy worms. - it was not instinct to go for them.
To me.. this is a good reason to have a broody hen.. hopefully I'll have one or 2.. )

I noticed the shower was a warm and humid place..and put them in for 12 hrs..
and today.. while.. doing a 24 hr. test of the brooding area.. I stuck the box of meal worms in there under the warm light .
with a damp towel.. covering. they seemed to be more active.. with the warmer temp
I also tried a banana peal.. they seemed to really like that. better than the apple..
tho I like the apple idea some one previously suggested.. it works good too.

thanks every one.. Christmas is tomorrow.. 21 chicks.. comming in the mail.

 

[Mehjr10]

Mark, No problem if you want to come by and check it out. I will PM you with contact Information.

 

[ellie32526]

I discovered last night that if I turn my porch light on at dusk and leave it on I can harvest quite a tasty treat for my hens just off my front porch. Caught a hundred or so June bugs last night, girls enjoyed them for breakfast this morning. No cost except for the electricity to burn the bulb. But that won't work all year long so I'll take advantage of it while I can.

 

[newpioneer75]

Can anyone tell me how many and how often i can feed chicks crickets? just throw a bunch in the brooder box? we already get crickets for my sons gecko and now i might have to concider buying in bulk. Sounds like a lot of fun watching the chicks scramble after them.