Mealworm farming

[grammie2two]

My mealworms and red wigglers arrived from Uncle Jim's today. It took 2 days, and everyone was very lively. I only saw two dead mealworms. I have a question I'm hoping someone will help me with, though. How large are the beetles and are the baby mealworms darker than the larger ones? I had ordered 2,000 medium (1/2-3/4") but there is every size imaginable. The smallest worms seem to be quite dark in color. And there are at least 3 dozen beetles in there as well. I want to make sure they're the right beetle. They look like photos I've seen but I haven't seen anything about the size. On the up side, there are WAY more than 2,000 mealworms in there! Thank you for any help you can give me.

 

[Slinglings]

my beetles are a little less than 1/2". newly molted worms are lighter than other worms. it doesn't seem to have anything to do with size.

 

[grammie2two]

Thank you so much, Slinglings. I can't wait until I can start start feeding the chickens and fish some yummy goodies.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

i have all stages, will take photos on my phone, and upload shortly.
Welcome to the wormies, its addictive!!!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Would I be able to find Wheat Bran at a store like 'Bulk Barn'? So do a mix half and half? awesome. well it seemed like when I seperated my big wormies with my small wormies, I don't see any dying

I found my wheat bran at tractor supply, it was like $17 for 50 pounds.
I froze large bags of what i didnt need, and we have used some for my daughters suger glider also.
any farm feed store of co-op can get it, just ask at the counter.
i did a bunch of pricing and TSC won lol!

 

[JNB]

Please Ignore this post is a bookmark

 

[DMRippy]

Please Ignore this post is a bookmark

You can always subscribe to a forum without posting...... Just a FYI. I see several people post to get subscribed so I thought I would share.

At the bottom under the posts to the left is a Subscribed button (it has a star next to it) and you can pick how you would like to be notified when you click it.

Welcome to the Mealworm Thread!

 

[bobbyp102]

Hi, Thanks to all those who have contributed to this thread, it really is facinating!

Most of the comment I have read revolves around the addition of mealworms to an existing diet of pellets grains etc.
My last half ton of growers cost me around $350 (british feed prices) which I just cant balance against final meat value anymore, so am looking for alternative, cheap (but healthy) foodstuffs (or bail out).
Has anyone got any experience of producing large quantities of mealworms to replace part/all of the expensive proccessed feed??
If properly set up and managed, I'm guessing you could produce large quantity's very cheaply? Say for 50-100 birds?
Any advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Rob

 

[Slinglings]

I'm sure it's possible, but you may spend the money you save on antihistamines and cough syrup (cough cough). I'm not allergic to anything except moldy mulch and mealworm dust. Both really common allergens. It's miserable.

They are high in protein, but also high in fat, they should be more of a treat. I have three fire belly toads fed exclusively meal worms because I can't keep crickets alive, and they are FAT.

 

[Kassaundra]

I have a question for those that are having allergic reaction problems, how are you getting so much exposure? I never sift through frass or anything like that, so just curious.