Mealworm farming

[Kassaundra]

Well, I set up my little starter group today. Just about 200 large larva, so it will be a little while before I have any to feed the girls. I am following Gallo's simple method. I have an established colony of b. dubia roaches, so it will be interesting to see which makes the best, or most, or least involved (time and fussing) food supplement for the girls. So far I have to say the yuck factor is dramatically less w/ the worms! lol

 

[HenCrazyMom]

After reading through this thread from start to now I am so excited to start my worm farm. My DD's response was "Great something else to feed" My DS will absolutely love the science experiment. Don't know what the DH is going to say as he is not home from work yet.

Just started with chickens this spring and I Love them. Chicken TV is better than anything!!!!
We have 6 Americanas, 6 Gold Links, 5 Bantam ?, 95 Cornish X, 1 leopard gecko, 5 fish, 2 rabbits, 3 large dogs.
LOVE My Chickens, can't wait to get the worms started for them.

 

[hannakat]

Welcome Kassaundra and HenCrazyMom!!

I don't think there's anything better than "Chick TV"

Let us know what you find out Kassaundra. I've followed the b. dubia roaches and still wish you were my neighbor so I can get a weekly supply of males for my girls...hahahaaa

 

[OwensMom]

Kassaundra, you are a tougher woman than me. Roaches just make my skin crawl!!!!! BUT I am interested in your opinion about time and energy layout. Thanks to all our science minded members for your valuable input!!

Hey Hencrazymom-Think you are obcessed now?? Wait til you start worm farming!!

Libertychick, glad you were able to order your worms. You'll love it!!

Amy, try exoticnutrition.com. Not any more expensive than anyone else, great service, prompt delivery and great worms.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Just started with chickens this spring and I Love them. Chicken TV is better than anything!!!!

Just wait until you get to watch your colony of bugs and worms!! That is great to watch, too. Wish I had more time to sit and observe but I get very little time now that they are on the other side of the room and in a much darker area. Probably will have more time this winter since I am not going to be hatching 300 chicks a month this time around.

Amy, try exoticnutrition.com. Not any more expensive than anyone else, great service, prompt delivery and great worms.

I did follow the link and bookmark it for future reference. I am so tired of the white buggies and would like to dump the bin and start over with that one but just am having a hard time thinking about all the eggs and tiny larvae that may actually be maturing in there. I dunno. I am still trying to decide.

 

[Kassaundra]

Quote:
Start out w/ talking up raising roaches, he will think he's getting a deal when you switch to the worms!!!!!!

 

[Kassaundra]

Quote:
I sooooo agree, I've watched my roaches molt many times, and bear their young a few times. The absolute best was the carrot tug of war the first time I put carrots in!

 

[WestKnollAmy]

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Oh gosh, yes! We love to put in some carrots or this last time the broccoli and it wasn't but a few minutes and they had moved it across the bin. So much for keeping it on newspaper or cardboard! They walk that food all over the place! I swear I think I am not giving them enough but I feel every other day is adequate so they will not let any waste and cause fungus. They still have some left in 24 hours so in 48 they do need more.

 

[OwensMom]

Amy, you have fought those white bugs for so long. I don't know what they are but I wonder if they could be reducing the viability in that bin. If you decide to dump the bin, wash it out with a 10% solution of chlorine bleach(will effectively sterialize bin). Hopefully you will get rid of your plague.