Mealworm farming

[Chickangel79]

I was so surprised he enjoyed it, when I bought the worms he was like oh ok, but now shows a real interest (8)
He is going to tell everyone at school today.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

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As soon as I get more time I plan to put a page on my website about how I got started and show plenty of photos of my set up.
I know this is a long thread but I must say, you really would get a lot of terrific info and become an instant pro if you at least skim through the first 40 pages or so. The more you can skim over the entire thread the better you will feel about starting your own little meal worm farm.
It is really simple and costs a lot less than $70 to set up.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

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Hi there! I'm very lazy when it comes to mealworm farming. If that's your style then here's a simple explanation on how to raise mealworms: https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=56638-how-to-raise-mealworms If you look back towards the beginning of this thread there are other multi-bin methods of raising them as well. Once you start, you'll be so glad. They are an easy and inexpensive treat; you probably won't spend $70 in five years of raising mealworms. Plus, I'll bet your birds will go crazy over live worms.

 

[wyoDreamer]

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I am just a lurker here, don't have mine yet. I need to change the covenants for the subdivision before I can get chickens!

But here is wha tI have learned:

If you look at post #21 - there are pictures of one set-up. That one is pretty extravagent with three bins - thats the one I want to do of course.

Basically, a plastic bin, with ventilation holes - most glue wire mesh over the holes to keep the beetles in and other things out.for the three bin system, cut the bottom out of the top bin and cover the hole with a fine wire mesh. This lets the eggs an dnewly hatched worms to fall through and into the second bin.

Substrate - which is what they live in - seems alot of people use Rolled Oats, but don't use the instant becasuse those are precooked, buy the OLD FASHIONED ROLLED OATS. You can also use wheat germ I believe, some one has a mix they use that contains powdered milk. Others will have to let you know what they use that works.

Cut veggies add moisture for the little guys. Carrots, potatoes, celery, kale, lettuce leaves, apple slices laid on top of the substrate. They worms will come to the surface and eat them. Check your veggies to make sure they don't start to mold. Mold will kill the wormies, so if you get mold make sure to remove the substrate around the moldy veg also.

You can add the cardboard rolls from paper towels or tp. paper towles folded over are also something the worms like to crawl through.

Don't need to add water or have water available at all.

 

[CluckyJay]

Here is this website on raising them. I'm writing a Hub about it soon, too.

http://www.sialis.org/raisingmealworms.htm

 

[CluckyJay]

And about the humidity and mealworms.

http://www.sialis.org/raisingmealworms.htm#moisture

 

[mothrhen]

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I went to Walmart to get my "kit"! Started with a 6 gallon tote and wheat bran from the feed store. Added a couple hundred mealies from the pet store. Total start up cost about $17.00 and enought wheat bran to start at least 20 more colonies. Good thing. It didn't take long to take off! Come on, join in the fun!!

 

[appychick]

I may just have to check out local sources.....Not sure if we even have a pet store in this town-Are these worms used for fishing bait as I possibly could look at this as source of starter worms? Wheat Bran-I live in a wheat producing area yet it is not available here....

 

[mothrhen]

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I may just have to check out local sources.....Not sure if we even have a pet store in this town-Are these worms used for fishing bait as I possibly could look at this as source of starter worms? Wheat Bran-I live in a wheat producing area yet it is not available here....

Try a fish or reptile type store if you have something like that around. I do believe that they're used as fishing bait too. Just make sure they are meal worms and not super worms. Meal worms they will usually keep in the fridge and super worms are not. Have you tried whatever livestock feed store you have locally? They usually keep 50lb bags of wheat bran. If they don't, ask if they will order you one. If not, as before mentioned get some old fashioned Quaker rolled oats (not instant). Also, there are many meal worm farm examples on youtube if you want to view some set ups. I think a lot of them make it a lot harder than it needs to be but, you can get some good ideas anyway. Keep us posted on your progress. I REALLY have to divide my farm up asap! Got the wheat bran in the freezer until tomorrow. Then I'm starting farm #2 (and maybe 3!!)

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

I don't know exactly how I got pulled into this since I seriously don't have the time for more projects, but I'm raising mealworms.

They are amazingly resilient and are relatively low maintenance.

We started with wheat bran from the grocery store.... way too expensive. I called a local "harvest house" natural grocery store place and they charge $0.95 / lb. I called the local feed store: 40 lbs for $13!

I know it doesn't really make any sense for me to spend the money and time raising these, but it is kinda fun and interesting.