Mealworm farming

[wolftracks]

So happy to see someone using a Sportsman. I've been looking at the bottom of mine and wondering. Since I don't hatch in there it would be perfect.


So had to run to KMart last night and saw shoe box sized plastic containers. I think I'm going to paint the outside to make it darker. The coffee container really was working and it was red. So I have 2 $1 containers and when my mechanic calls and says my car is ready, I'm taking my grand daughter to get more worms. I think since there are so many bait shops around, I'll buy some there and more at PetSmart if they have them. Then I can see which ones grow fastest.

 

[OkChickens]

Thank you! Thank you!
I was so afraid it would be too hot but they are certainly not growing so fast in my house with the low humidity and temps so I wondered if this would work. I have now placed a small container on the bottom rack and put the hygrometer down there with them to see what readings I get. I usually have it sitting up on the shelf with the water dish.
I have tons of little worms that are not growing as fast as I need them to. the laocl pet store wants them a certain size and I know it is much nicer for people to receive the bigger ones from me rather than all those small ones, though they do grow, of course. But at least with the smaller ones they get a better count.

Here is my set up for now and I will put a card on the bator door and put another dish of the same age ones near the bator and see what differences there are in 2 weeks.

I am definitely doing this in my hatcher! I only usually use one on the 3 trays! I will put a batch in the hatcher once i find a container to put them in! Do you think the dust from the chicks hatching will affect the meal worms! I would need to keep mine on the top shelf because I hatch on the middle and bottom shelf. so 100 degrees wont hurt them?

Nate

 

[onafixedincome]

I wold be concerned that the combination of heat and humidity would cook 'em. Gallo lives in a VERY DRY area, so the summer heat index is lower than you might think. It will be interesting to hear the results!

 

[OkChickens]

I just put 50 in the Incubator that has 100 degree temp and 16% humidity and also 50 on top of the Incubator as a control. I am curious as what will the differences be!

Nate

 

[ralleia]

What causes the SMELL?

It doesn't really seem to be the frass--I removed all of that yesterday from my six-drawer system. I'm thinking it must be the dead beetles?

 

[binders]

What causes the SMELL?

It doesn't really seem to be the frass--I removed all of that yesterday from my six-drawer system. I'm thinking it must be the dead beetles?

I think it is the dead bettles also. Only my bettle drawer has a bad smell and only when I have had a higher level of die-off than normal. If I take a few minutes and pick out some of the dead ones the smell goes away.

 

[OkChickens]

What causes the SMELL?

It doesn't really seem to be the frass--I removed all of that yesterday from my six-drawer system. I'm thinking it must be the dead beetles?

You might have to much moisture in your colony? Mine have virtually no smell in my 3 drawer bin. I can smell the wheat bran but that's what feed smells like. I also do not have Beetles yet. Almost but not quite there.

Nate

 

[ralleia]

My colony is on the dry side, especially with it being indoors during winter. It's a struggle even keeping the air humid enough for HUMAN comfort during the winter.

I'm pretty sure it's the dead beetles--the grubs don't really have smell at all. I'm going to try to clean out the beetle drawers today and see how that goes.

 

[Scooter&Suzie]

I have one last question... I have 5 hens (one a bantam) How many should I get? I was thinking 500, but for just 3 more dollars I could get 1,000. I will give them to my girls all year around (illegal to free range where I live). My mom is super worried about me getting too many.... I envisioned 500; she envisioned 50. I would prefer to get 1,000, but don't want more than my darlings can eat.

 

[Kassaundra]

I have one last question... I have 5 hens (one a bantam) How many should I get? I was thinking 500, but for just 3 more dollars I could get 1,000. I will give them to my girls all year around (illegal to free range where I live). My mom is super worried about me getting too many.... I envisioned 500; she envisioned 50. I would prefer to get 1,000, but don't want more than my darlings can eat.

It may ease your mother's mind to know that 1000 meal worms will fit in a 1 cup measuring cup.