Mealworm farming

[bbsnooks]

I started feeding my baby goslings and ducklings the freeze-dried mealworms and went to the live ones. I have handled mealworms and superworms in the past, so no yuck factor. All I have to say is "WORMEATS!" and they go crazy, too. Good idea for the winter. I can do them in the bird barn in the spring and summer to even early fall here at my farm in New Mexico and then bring them in during the cold period, to a warmer building. I raise critical, threatened and endangered breeds of ducks and geese, and have a big pond and orchards for them to go out in during the day with their Great Pyrenees bodyguards. At night, they have their own big barn and enclosed yard area. I want to get into chickens soon. Maybe you guys can steer me in the right direction.

Thanks for the info!

Hello Gooser.. < grin>
I started out looking at the henderson chicken chart that should take up a while..
my goal was.. #1 Large Bread Dual purpose #2).. sociable roosters. < or as good as it gets> 3) Cold hardy 4)Good forager 4)Yard Art.. < pretty birds>
and I found 4 or 5 that fit the bill.. Jersey Giants - Salmon Favorells - BlueLaceRed Wyandott - and a polish.. < ? i read they are good brooders.>

What i almost got was one of the Rare breed package at MurrayMcMurray's.. they have a rare breed layer package.. this year. but I've heard the Favorell's can get picked on in a mixed flock.. and i'm just crossing my fingers. they get along.

There are some - better tasting.. Dorkings
read here.. http://www.grit.com/daily-commute/Best-Tasting-Heritage-Chicken-Breed.aspx I forgot to take that in consideration.. when ordering...

I't looks like you have lots already.. which breeds did you choose.. if you dont mind? and are there any favorites?

 

[Clover Run]

Just ordered my first mealworms from Amy - looking forward to getting started.

 

[RugenerGooser]

Hello Gooser.. < grin>
I started out looking at the henderson chicken chart that should take up a while..
my goal was.. #1 Large Bread Dual purpose #2).. sociable roosters. < or as good as it gets> 3) Cold hardy 4)Good forager 4)Yard Art.. < pretty birds>
and I found 4 or 5 that fit the bill.. Jersey Giants - Salmon Favorells - BlueLaceRed Wyandott - and a polish.. < ? i read they are good brooders.>

What i almost got was one of the Rare breed package at MurrayMcMurray's.. they have a rare breed layer package.. this year. but I've heard the Favorell's can get picked on in a mixed flock.. and i'm just crossing my fingers. they get along.

There are some - better tasting.. Dorkings
read here.. http://www.grit.com/daily-commute/Best-Tasting-Heritage-Chicken-Breed.aspx I forgot to take that in consideration.. when ordering...

I't looks like you have lots already.. which breeds did you choose.. if you dont mind? and are there any favorites?

On the ducks I have Blue Swedish (crested and non), Black Swedish, Cayuga, Buff Orpington, Mallard, Khaki Campbell and Pekin. I will be possibly getting Silver Appleyard and Saxony. Geese are as follows...White Chinese, African, Brown Chinese, Buff and Grey Saddleback Pomeranian, American Buff, Blue and Lavender, Grey Goose. I have a 52 acre farm with pecan and fruit orchards and a huge pond. The only thing of its kind in Lordsburg. We are in Las Cruces on a smaller spread right now, but transitioning full time in Lordsburg. They are all favorites, probably with the geese the Pomeranians and Buff Geese.

 

[RugenerGooser]

I forgot to say...we also drip irrigate like they do in Israel instead of all of the water waste that goes with flood irrigation. The birds have Great Pyrenees bodyguards and nobody is left out at night.

 

[bnewns]

Just ordered my first mealworms from Amy - looking forward to getting started.

Both you and your flock are going to love it!! If you need any help or have questions feel free to contact me. I've just started with the super worms, they are harder to raise, but I like a challenge

 

[bbsnooks]

Just ordered my first mealworms from Amy - looking forward to getting started.

Great clover.. I just ordered 8000 .... I had picked up a few from the local pet store..
I"m glad i did ..
. I fed my just in - delivered chicks.. ( water and chick starter.. ) and then i put in a few meal worms..
Oh boy.. this is really fun.. I think every chick order should come with some..

 

[chickery-do]

I don't give my girls mealy treat's because their so expensive. But I'm not sure I could grow them. It took some time to feed them (frizzed dried) out of my hand, And the thought of them next to my salad would make me throw (hum)

How much do you regularly feed them to them? Maybe I can talk honey to do it

 

[bnewns]

I give 8-10 each on my LF and the smaller birds get around 5-7 if I'm showing them (tends to build a large comb on the roos) If I'm not showing a can double it but I don't feed everyday

 

[jimmywalt]

Just ordered my first mealworms from Amy - looking forward to getting started.

Where can we find out about "Amy" and ordering from her? Thank you.

 

[jimmywalt]

If a person has 5 chickens (3 ISA Browns, 1 Aracuana, 1 Bantam) how many mealworms would be enough to breed and eventually feed to our 5 hens?

Thank you.