I just started my mealworm farm today, I'm excited to see how everything goes. 
The beetles I'm kind of nervous about, though.
The beetles I'm kind of nervous about, though.
Mealworm farming
- Thread starter hannakat
- Start date
Quote:
I was too. I HATE bugs. Which is why i got chickens! But they are really harmless. They don't jump at you and mine have never taken flight. They pretty much just stay to the veggies you put in there for them. And when it's time to change the veggies, you can just shake them off.
If you get one on your hand, they like to cling, but just a quick shake and they drop back into their container.
It still freaks my DH out when I put my hand in there. But I figure if a city gal like me can do it, anyone can.
I was too. I HATE bugs. Which is why i got chickens! But they are really harmless. They don't jump at you and mine have never taken flight. They pretty much just stay to the veggies you put in there for them. And when it's time to change the veggies, you can just shake them off.
If you get one on your hand, they like to cling, but just a quick shake and they drop back into their container.
It still freaks my DH out when I put my hand in there. But I figure if a city gal like me can do it, anyone can.
- Thread starter
- #473
Quote:
Welcome and congrats!!!
The beetles are kinda cool once you get used to them. You don't need to handle them so relax! They don't require one-on-one, touchy-feely care.
Welcome and congrats!!!
The beetles are kinda cool once you get used to them. You don't need to handle them so relax! They don't require one-on-one, touchy-feely care.
Quote:
I was too. I HATE bugs. Which is why i got chickens! But they are really harmless. They don't jump at you and mine have never taken flight. They pretty much just stay to the veggies you put in there for them. And when it's time to change the veggies, you can just shake them off.
If you get one on your hand, they like to cling, but just a quick shake and they drop back into their container.
It still freaks my DH out when I put my hand in there. But I figure if a city gal like me can do it, anyone can.
Oh really? Good, I know that they don't live that long, so once they die, do you give them to the chickens?
I was too. I HATE bugs. Which is why i got chickens! But they are really harmless. They don't jump at you and mine have never taken flight. They pretty much just stay to the veggies you put in there for them. And when it's time to change the veggies, you can just shake them off.
If you get one on your hand, they like to cling, but just a quick shake and they drop back into their container.
It still freaks my DH out when I put my hand in there. But I figure if a city gal like me can do it, anyone can.
Oh really? Good, I know that they don't live that long, so once they die, do you give them to the chickens?
Quote:
Welcome and congrats!!!
The beetles are kinda cool once you get used to them. You don't need to handle them so relax! They don't require one-on-one, touchy-feely care.
Good! I'm glad.
I thought they were the creepy crawly bugs that tried to crawl up your arm.
EW!
Welcome and congrats!!!
The beetles are kinda cool once you get used to them. You don't need to handle them so relax! They don't require one-on-one, touchy-feely care.
Good! I'm glad.
I thought they were the creepy crawly bugs that tried to crawl up your arm.
EW!
Quote:
I was too. I HATE bugs. Which is why i got chickens! But they are really harmless. They don't jump at you and mine have never taken flight. They pretty much just stay to the veggies you put in there for them. And when it's time to change the veggies, you can just shake them off.
If you get one on your hand, they like to cling, but just a quick shake and they drop back into their container.
It still freaks my DH out when I put my hand in there. But I figure if a city gal like me can do it, anyone can.
Oh really? Good, I know that they don't live that long, so once they die, do you give them to the chickens?
I've never tried feeding the dead beetles. I should. They seem to get eaten by the other beetles cuz they sort of fall apart and disappear. And I seem to have so picky hens. I'm not sure they would eat them. I'll give it a try.
I was too. I HATE bugs. Which is why i got chickens! But they are really harmless. They don't jump at you and mine have never taken flight. They pretty much just stay to the veggies you put in there for them. And when it's time to change the veggies, you can just shake them off.
If you get one on your hand, they like to cling, but just a quick shake and they drop back into their container.
It still freaks my DH out when I put my hand in there. But I figure if a city gal like me can do it, anyone can.
Oh really? Good, I know that they don't live that long, so once they die, do you give them to the chickens?
I've never tried feeding the dead beetles. I should. They seem to get eaten by the other beetles cuz they sort of fall apart and disappear. And I seem to have so picky hens. I'm not sure they would eat them. I'll give it a try.
Quote:
Oh really? Good, I know that they don't live that long, so once they die, do you give them to the chickens?
I've never tried feeding the dead beetles. I should. They seem to get eaten by the other beetles cuz they sort of fall apart and disappear. And I seem to have so picky hens. I'm not sure they would eat them. I'll give it a try.
Oh, okay.
Do you separate the different stages or keep them all in one enclosure?
Oh really? Good, I know that they don't live that long, so once they die, do you give them to the chickens?
I've never tried feeding the dead beetles. I should. They seem to get eaten by the other beetles cuz they sort of fall apart and disappear. And I seem to have so picky hens. I'm not sure they would eat them. I'll give it a try.
Oh, okay.
Do you separate the different stages or keep them all in one enclosure?
Quote:
I've never tried feeding the dead beetles. I should. They seem to get eaten by the other beetles cuz they sort of fall apart and disappear. And I seem to have so picky hens. I'm not sure they would eat them. I'll give it a try.
Oh, okay.
Do you separate the different stages or keep them all in one enclosure?
So far I've left it all in one enclosure based on what some other people have done. To be clear, I started mine back in Feb and I'm just now seeing 4mm long meal worms. I think it's been so slow because I have it in the garage and it's been a really cool spring. In hindsight, I should have (and will come fall) bring it in the house and put it in a dark closet. But I've read that cannibalization is just so low that it's not worth separating them out.
I've never tried feeding the dead beetles. I should. They seem to get eaten by the other beetles cuz they sort of fall apart and disappear. And I seem to have so picky hens. I'm not sure they would eat them. I'll give it a try.
Oh, okay.
Do you separate the different stages or keep them all in one enclosure?
So far I've left it all in one enclosure based on what some other people have done. To be clear, I started mine back in Feb and I'm just now seeing 4mm long meal worms. I think it's been so slow because I have it in the garage and it's been a really cool spring. In hindsight, I should have (and will come fall) bring it in the house and put it in a dark closet. But I've read that cannibalization is just so low that it's not worth separating them out.
WestKnollAmy
The Crazy Chicken Lady
I tried separating mine out but it was taking a lot of work so mine are in 4 bins now in several different stages. I am so paranoid about my first bin because I had pupae come on so fast and then beetles so I left a lot of them and then the mites got in that bin and I am scared to throw anything out for fear that the mites are about gone but there could be babies! They aren't taking up any needed room in the den so I have the 4 big bins going and waiting for more action.....like wee wormies!
Quote:
Whoa! How did you get mites?
Whoa! How did you get mites?
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