Mealworm farming

[katatonic123]

looks like you have pupae already
just keep them warm, add a water source now and then and watch them increase in numbers

I was thinking so too. I'm excited!

 

[Latestarter]

My worms came in today!

looks like you have pupae already
just keep them warm, add a water source now and then and watch them increase in numbers

There are definitely Pupae in there Katatonic! Within a couple weeks you'll have your first beetles

With luck, those beetles will lay eggs that will hatch into baby worms just about the time your youngest worms are old enough & about to pupate!

That's the ideal colony... you'll have all stages at once!

Just to clarify in case you aren't aware... "water source" doesn't mean a bowl of water, but some moist fruits/veggies like apple slices (be careful of mold growing) potato chunks, or my personal favorite; baby carrots (they don't mold very easy and don't require a lot of work, just throw some in). I've also heard you can use like a wedge of cabbage, and corn cobs but I haven't tried them yet



Happy worming!

Sad to say, I'm hooked. The evidence is that I just spooned my colony from a shoebox into a Sterilite bin. And this would be my not-so-formal entry into BYC. It all started with a tiny tub from Petco about four weeks ago, then worrying through the discussions about substrates and mold, convinced I would be the murderous mealworm felon on the thread. Looks like they're not that easy to kill. I've got worms, pupae and beetles, requiring a relocation to a mealworm mansion. The young hens already wonder what gifts I am bearing whenever I appear. New garbage, fermented feed? Yes, I am that far gone, and this is my first year. Heaven help me.

Hey there Bugseye! If no one has said it yet, let me be the first!

You're in GREAT company here!

I think most of us are a little "over the edge" when it comes to our chickens

I have to ask... why did you "spoon" the colony from a (small) shoe box into a sterilite? I mean really, you could have just dumped the whole thing in there, (box and all)

I hope you didn't discard the substrate from the box... the beetles may have (probably have) been laying eggs in it! You want to add those to the bigger container and let them hatch!
Isn't it nice to feel the love of your hens every time they see you? (of course we know it's only because they think/know we have treats for them!

 

[jenneverett]

Sad to say, I'm hooked. The evidence is that I just spooned my colony from a shoebox into a Sterilite bin. And this would be my not-so-formal entry into BYC. It all started with a tiny tub from Petco about four weeks ago, then worrying through the discussions about substrates and mold, convinced I would be the murderous mealworm felon on the thread. Looks like they're not that easy to kill. I've got worms, pupae and beetles, requiring a relocation to a mealworm mansion. The young hens already wonder what gifts I am bearing whenever I appear. New garbage, fermented feed? Yes, I am that far gone, and this is my first year. Heaven help me.

we are all in the same boat... my lovely wife asked for chickens and i said why not? so we wandered into the orchelins and bought 6 chicks and some "basic" supplies.
now i have 10 week old pullets and a cockerel in the bunch. i have started my meal worm farm with 5000 and have a second bin filling up with beetles as we speak. i have fed fermented feed since week 4 and converted the shed into a coop. i religiously let them out around 7 am and close them in at 8 pm. i now consider them my chickens and am in the process of building an auto waterer and feeder treadle. my how my life has changed since i heard those tiny little words "i want some chickens!"

 

[katatonic123]

Thanks Latestarter. I did a lot of reading here first so know about the veggies.

 

[Bugseye]

Aw,' shucks. Thanks. What I did with the remaining stuff was put the lid back on the box to wait and see if anything else wants to poke out of that mess. Now, mind you, my DH wants nothing to do with "my"chickens; but he has installed a thermostat on the heat lamp and a nanny cam so we can turn on the TV to see what's going on out there. He also worries over opening their door in the morning and their safe return at night. "My" chickens, ya know.

 

[crazy huhn]

Sounds like conversations at our house...
When it comes down to spoiling the girls with all different kind of treats, they are "his" or "our" chickens.
If one escapes the run and poops on the patio, it is of course "my" chicken. Oh well.

Aw,' shucks. Thanks. What I did with the remaining stuff was put the lid back on the box to wait and see if anything else wants to poke out of that mess. Now, mind you, my DH wants nothing to do with "my"chickens; but he has installed a thermostat on the heat lamp and a nanny cam so we can turn on the TV to see what's going on out there. He also worries over opening their door in the morning and their safe return at night. "My" chickens, ya know.

 

[Latestarter]

Amazing how that works isn't it

 

[beverly evans]

Sounds like conversations at our house...
When it comes down to spoiling the girls with all different kind of treats, they are "his" or "our" chickens.
If one escapes the run and poops on the patio, it is of course "my" chicken. Oh well.
Quote: There you are! Huhn, I've been looking for you! Yesterday I found someone's X lizard aquarium for $10. I am in business! Well, I will be as soon as you sell me some mealies. How do we do this? Please PM me asap. Thanks ! beverly

 

[aart]

So sorted out some pupae today for the next generation (will feed the rest of the larvae to the chooks) and found some rather unhealthy looking ones.
There were plenty of nice white plump pupae too...as well as lots of larvae of varying sizes.

I'm thinking maybe they are desiccated because the environment is too dry?
Or maybe they were 'fed upon' by larvae and died?

Any opinions?

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

So sorted out some pupae today for the next generation (will feed the rest of the larvae to the chooks) and found some rather unhealthy looking ones.
There were plenty of nice white plump pupae too...as well as lots of larvae of varying sizes.

I'm thinking maybe they are desiccated because the environment is too dry?
Or maybe they were 'fed upon' by larvae and died?

Any opinions?

We'd need more details about how they're raised, e.g. substrate, vegetables and how often they are fed.