Mealworm farming

[farmhand]

I'd say they could all fit into one. But I would split them into two; one for growing out, and one for harvesting.
Farmhand

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I'd say they could all fit into one. But I would split them into two; one for growing out, and one for harvesting.
Farmhand

X2 That way, if something happens, you aren't at a total loss of your colony.

 

[LaBella]

I HAVE PUPA!!!!!

FIVE of them to be precise. And I cannot find my magnifying glasses. Also, my digital camera screen got broken *cries* I had that thing for YEARS!!! And since I did a lot of macro photography, so had my camera NOT been broken, I could have used the zoom function to see if I had boys or girls..
Cause... ummm...
There be more than one mad scientist on board, lol.

Edit to add: After playing and poking around with them, I have determined that there are another 5 wormies that are in pre-pupa state, and should morph within the next couple days.

 

[McPhersonFarm]

Ours are doing great and going crazy. Can someone tell me average of how long from pretty good sized worms to beetles to new worms? We bought 3000 to start. I am just wondering when I could start feeding some to my chickens I don't want to deplenish my stock until it's going good. Should I wait until I have beetles?

 

[bilder]

Mine are doing good too.

They are pulling the potato and carrots down into the bran. When I checked today I could barely see the top of the carrot and one half of the potato was almost buried too.

I started off with 100. They looked pretty thin and pathetic when I got them, but they are nice and plump now.

 

[PAchickensgalor]

I have seen different opinions here about having a lid versus no lid on mealworm containers. What's the consensus on this?

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I have seen different opinions here about having a lid versus no lid on mealworm containers. What's the consensus on this?

You can have a lid, don't need it. If you do, be sure its ventilated so they can breathe.

Mine are doing good too.

They are pulling the potato and carrots down into the bran. When I checked today I could barely see the top of the carrot and one half of the potato was almost buried too.

I started off with 100. They looked pretty thin and pathetic when I got them, but they are nice and plump now.

Reminds me of the scifi worm movies! If they are plump, you are doing a great job!

Ours are doing great and going crazy. Can someone tell me average of how long from pretty good sized worms to beetles to new worms? We bought 3000 to start. I am just wondering when I could start feeding some to my chickens I don't want to deplenish my stock until it's going good. Should I wait until I have beetles?

Depends on temps, if you keep them warm its faster, i have a full life cycle in 3-4 months. I would let it run a few cycle to get max beetles from your worms. But a few here and there cant hurt, and if you have winter right now, the extra protein is good for the chix.

I HAVE PUPA!!!!!

FIVE of them to be precise. And I cannot find my magnifying glasses. Also, my digital camera screen got broken *cries* I had that thing for YEARS!!! And since I did a lot of macro photography, so had my camera NOT been broken, I could have used the zoom function to see if I had boys or girls..
Cause... ummm...
There be more than one mad scientist on board, lol.

Edit to add: After playing and poking around with them, I have determined that there are another 5 wormies that are in pre-pupa state, and should morph within the next couple days.

once they do pupate try not to fuss much (its hard lol!) lost of handling will cause them to appear deformed. most grow out of it fast tho. Now you will get TONs in just a week or so.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I have seen different opinions here about having a lid versus no lid on mealworm containers. What's the consensus on this?

you will love the forum!

 

[DMRippy]

I have seen different opinions here about having a lid versus no lid on mealworm containers. What's the consensus on this?

Lid.... always. Why not? Keeps the predators at bay.... mice, spiders.... I am sure there are others that I have not mentioned. Mine came with a lid so I use it.

 

[onafixedincome]

Consensus, consensus...I think I saw that word in a puzzle somewhere once, but never knew it might be applied on this group...LOL! (Wish we had a chicken smilie running the OTHER direction, too..hee hee...)

I use lids--I don't bother putting holes in them, but find that with the relatively wide and shallow Sterilite trays, there's enough air circulation in dry seasons to do the trick. However, this winter there was a lot of condensation that led to moldy substrate, as I wasn't maintaining the colonies due to illness and allergy. But despite that, as I slog through them, sifting and picking out beetles and larva, I'm surprised at how many are not only surviving, but doing well.

Tough lil things!