Mealworm farming

[lovesgliders]

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Just get a carton of cheap store brand 1 minute oats. I have never heard of microwaving or zapping the bedding first but maybe it's one of those posts I missed.

This needs to be done to kill grain mites. Nasty little things that'll ruin your whole colony (I've heard). I actually buy my mealworms from Camillie's Vita-Mealies... only the best for my (very spoiled) babies!

(Plus I am too squeamish to raise my own bugs!)

 

[OwensMom]

hannahkat, DH is just too much. This morning he is hovering over the bin with a concerned look on his face. "What's wrong" I ask. "These worms don't look like they have enough food says he!! "you had better go to the barn and get some crumbles" I am instructed!! So off I go and when I return the bin is half full of DH's precious lettuce!! The last of the season lettuce!! Husband is happy, worms are happy and I'm shaking my head. I've created a monster!!

 

[hannakat]

OwensMom ~ Not a monster but a partner! It's really sweet that he's helping with the care....means he'll help feed the mealies to the chickens too! It's sooo nice when everyone is happy - yes?

Edited to add.... I'm a bit curious.... how did he know they were hungry? Was it their posture? Expressions? Gonna go with 'mealie ESP' though! hahahahaa

 

[hannakat]

As promised......

Test results RE: "Do my beetles fly or not after brief period of starvation" test.

Findings: No, the tenebrio molitor did not fly.



There is no evidence that the kind of Darkling beetle we are raising can fly. They can't even glide, let alone take off from a stand still. So no worries folks!

 

[hannakat]

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Welcome Chickangel79! You're in for some fun and what a learning experience it can be for the kids! My grandkids and neighbor kids have enjoyed learning and playing with the mealies.

Please let us know how it goes!

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Most of the freezing aspect is still unknown to me Sus. My DREAM would be to freeze them ~ then store them in a jar or something. I will be experimenting with that once my wee worms grow up a bit. I don't know if I can successfully take them out of the freezer to keep in a jar or not but I'll try. I don't want to leave them in the freezer any longer than I have to. And, yes, gonna thaw them out to feed to the girls.

The more people share information about how they raise them, the more we all learn. I am still hesitating about letting ALL of my current hatch grow and pupate because I only have a few birds and I don't want them to get ahead of me and I really don't want to get into selling them.

However, I know enough other people with chickens that I could share any surplus. I've been taking this whole thing as it's learned and enjoying the journey!

Remember....we LOVE photos!

 

[brahmapapa]

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where did you get your original sterter mealworm stock from, other than youtube videos i can't find a good source.

 

[Klwright1122]

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where did you get your original sterter mealworm stock from, other than youtube videos i can't find a good source.

In an earlier post on the previous page, someone told me about www.exoticnutrition.com.... Also www.unclejimswormfarm.com
Uncle Jim offers free shipping... And if u google uncle Jim, u should be able to find a coupon code as well...

 

[hannakat]

Hi brahmapapa ~ I got mine from Uncle Jims but they tend to have problems so I really can't recommend them. I know some people have gotten them on Ebay and from different sellers. exoticnutrition.com was recommended a few posts ago. Shop around and ask questions!!

Very high temps can be very rough on them ask whoever you buy them from how they're being shipped.

 

[crazy huhn]

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where did you get your original sterter mealworm stock from, other than youtube videos i can't find a good source.

I can ship you a starter kit with mealworms, pupaes and beetles. If interested, please email me. I do not recall any places that would ship the entire kit.

 

[OwensMom]

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hannakat, I think that it was the srarved look on their little faces that gave it away. Or yeah, I'll go with wormie ESP!!!!
It is really much nicer to have him as an ally!!
I wonder when you thaw the worms will they get mushy?? Maybe after thawing you could dry them in the oven or dehydrator??