Mealworm farming

[Lacy Blues]

Ok, I've tried searching the thread because I don't have the info written down. I bought a 50 lb bag of wheat bran a few days ago and I now have some sitting in a foil pan ready to go in the oven.

I don't have time to read the entire thread to find the answer to one question... how long do I heat the bran and at what temperature? After that, do I store the extra in the freezer?

 

[Lacy Blues]

Well, it looks like all my beetles have died. I can't get the search function to cooperate on this thread. I was wanting to look back and find out when I bought them. I don't see any baby worms at all. I'm wondering if they were treated with something to keep them from reproducing. I bought them at Walmart. Anybody have any ideas?

 

[tazcat70]

I was worried that I bought too many worms and now I am worried that I didn't buy enough. I bought 1000 large and 5000 mediums.

 

[farmhand]

I was worried that I bought too many worms and now I am worried that I didn't buy enough. I bought 1000 large and 5000 mediums.

Not enough for what? Seems like alot to me.

 

[onafixedincome]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/492636/mealworm-farming/3740#post_8767573

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/492636/mealworm-farming/4180#post_9154163

The second link is the most likely to be helpful in heating substrate.

 

[JohnnyxRex]

Ok so lets say I have a 3 drawer container and some oatmeal and worms and fruit. What exactly do I do? I have seen some people cut holes in the bottom and do all kinds of stuff. How exactly do I get started?

Since we are talking substrate, what is wrong with the cheapest oatmeal I can find?

 

[Hypertay]

Well, it looks like all my beetles have died. I can't get the search function to cooperate on this thread. I was wanting to look back and find out when I bought them. I don't see any baby worms at all. I'm wondering if they were treated with something to keep them from reproducing. I bought them at Walmart. Anybody have any ideas?

Have patience! Keep the container warm and keep a carrot in it on a plastic lid and just wait. I was thinking of throwing my whole first effort out to the birds because I didn't see any worms after a couple of weeks, and then one day I stared at the surface of the bran/oatmeal, and it was thrashing around! There are thousands of worms in it. Your Walmart worms should have laid lots of eggs, so just keep waiting.

 

[tazcat70]

Not enough for what?  Seems like alot to me.

So far I want it mainly for treats, but at some point maybe more. So based on your reaction I am OK.

 

[JohnnyxRex]

Hey, in addition to my questions above, is there any real maintinence other than picking out beetles and replacing the bedding every couple months?

I really don't want to handle mealworms, I just want to use them as food for the chicks.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Ok so lets say I have a 3 drawer container and some oatmeal and worms and fruit. What exactly do I do? I have seen some people cut holes in the bottom and do all kinds of stuff. How exactly do I get started?

Since we are talking substrate, what is wrong with the cheapest oatmeal I can find?

Hey, in addition to my questions above, is there any real maintinence other than picking out beetles and replacing the bedding every couple months?

I really don't want to handle mealworms, I just want to use them as food for the chicks.

If you want little or no maintenance just do a single large tub, toss a carrot in every week or so and forget it til next week. Not a thing wrong with oats, try it. Everyone needs to see what works best for them. Oats in small batches may be cheaper, but i know the wheat bran is a lot less costly for a 50# bag. I used the cardboard canister of Quaker oats (old fashioned kind) for my beetles. it does compress a lot less over time, and you can see spots where they have chewed.