Growing mealworms...

[chicks4kids]

Ok, for years I have been buying mealworms several times yearly for my bluebirds....recently my turkey and chickens have taken an interest in the 10 gal aquarium that they live in. Pecking at the glass (so concerning thinking they're gonna hurt themselves) plus also wondering when my husband would say "enough is enough honey" So...........

I decided to try and grow them..did some research, put layer crumble in (good thing I had that on had) provided what they require and let the mealworms mature to egg laying beetles...............

Nothing

tick tock tick tock....nothing

days go by......nothing

weeks go by....then voila!!

My son found itty itty bitty little mealworms about an 1/8 of an inch long, thousands of them!!! I thought it was a failure and I wasted a shipment. I'm so glad he digs in there for no reason

..............we have baby mealworms!!

Talk about a high protein treat!! I'm so happy!!

Over worms?

 

[Chicken Ninja]

Nice

This reminds me alot of another thread...

MEALWORMS - Raising Them the Easy Way

It's got lots of great info on mealworms. Between what they said and what you said, is about enough to convince me to try this myself! Good job on being proactive with things

 

[shelleyd2008]

Mealworms would be a great venture to get into. Not only do you have free (almost) treats for your birds, but you can sell extras as well. I had heard earlier this year that there was a shortage on mealworms? Too bad my dad won't let me get some for my quail! Would be much cheaper than paying $1.50 for 2-3 dozen

 

[AK-Bird-brain]

Were still at the lots of beetles stage, hopefully soon we'll start seeing little ones.

 

[sillybirds]

Chicks4kids, congrats on your baby mealworms! They are tiny at first aren't they. Your chicks will love them!

Bird-brain, it took about a month for me from when I first had beetles until when I could find the tiniest of mealworms. Before long you'll be swimming in mealworms!

 

[chicks4kids]

Now that I can actually see them, they are growing fast!! Keeping the moisture level in the tank is touch and go right now...but I'm tryin'.....I can't wait to have thousands crawling around!!

 

[redhen]

I'm doing this also! I was so excited also when i saw the teeny tiny babies! I had just about given up hope and then one day there were a million babies! There just getting big enough now to feed to the birds..

 

[redhen]

Quote:
what do you do for moisture? i just give them veggies for moisture..

 

[shelleyd2008]

redhen, I'm not sure, but I've read that you just put some fruit in there, like apple or pear.

 

[chicks4kids]

I have some potatoes in there, but I also read somewhere to keep 1/3 of the area covered with moist newspaper. So that's what I'm doing.