Mealworm farming

[UrbanEnthusiast]

So now that I have a bunch of beetles, all I need to do is keep feeding the colony, right?

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

I went to our local TSC for wheat bran and they looked at me like I was nuts! I asked them if it was something I could order and they said no. I don't know where else to look for this, is this something I can buy in the store? Currently I have some oatmeal in there but I'd like to get them what they really like. Any ideas?

You can find it at any health food store or grocery stores that sell unpackaged food in bulk. Places like Whole Foods, etc.

 

[NCGrammie]

I started my colony a couple months ago to feed our five hens. I'm using the single-container method because I have no desire to handle the insects any more than necessary to feed our five hens. I definitely have some beetles now but I'm not sure when I should start feeding. It doesn't seem that I've had that population explosion yet that I've been looking for. Of course, cooler temps in my apartment don't help now that it's fall here. I have some freeze dried mealworms left from the last $6 scoop from the feed store, but it would be super cool if I didn't have to buy another one. Does anyone know how long it takes to reproduce once they're in the beetle stage?

That's me! I don't want to hold/touch them anymore then necessary either! :/

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

So now that I have a bunch of beetles, all I need to do is keep feeding the colony, right?

Correct. Just make sure they always have access to something with some moisture in it (potato, carrots, celery, etc.).

 

[NCGrammie]

You can find it at any health food store or grocery stores that sell unpackaged food in bulk.  Places like Whole Foods, etc.

Oh wonderful!! We have a Whole Foods, I will check them out tomorrow then.

Thanks!!

 

[DMRippy]

Quote: Don't forget to heat it up to kill any other bug in the bran

130 degrees should get it for 10-15 mins.

 

[NCGrammie]

Don't forget to heat it up to kill any other bug in the bran   130 degrees should get it for 10-15 mins.

Oh my gosh, I didn't realize that, thank you for telling me!! Should I have done that with the oatmeal too?

 

[DMRippy]

Quote: I think so.... I didn't with my first batch, but might should have. I have not had any issues though.

 

[bobbieschicks]

I recommend never feeding the larva to your chickens while you are sifting through the drawers outside. I made that mistake and now every time I take the drawers outside to sift I fear for my safety! I've actually had the chickens leap up onto the drawer as I am working on it and then they would peck out a worm or two as fast as they could. The other thing they do is wait until I've sifted with the colander and peck the worms out the bottom of it before I can dump them back into the drawer! So annoying!

 

[cluck-cluck]

LOL, sounds like my kids!

I'm feeling so much better about my worm farm 'cause I now have quite a few healthy looking black darkling beetles, and my fingers are crossed I get enough eggs to be able to start feeding the birds in a few months? Fingers are still crossed