Mealworm farming

Pics
Date sort Score sort
Speaking of worm size, has anyone ever tried putting the naturally largest beetles in one container to try breeding a larger mealworm? I was looking at mine and wondering if selected breeding is possible here. From what I have read females and males look the same and are the same size so the gender mix would be about the same... Just wondering/thinking here.
 
Ivywoods said:
I am pretty new at this so I am wondering what you mean when you say the beetles aren't feeling right.
Click to expand...
Hm...the best way I can think to put it is that when you have a colony of whatever--chickens, goats, rabbits, mealworms, redworms--going well, you tend to 'get the feel' of things going well and smoothly. I'm not getting that from my mealies, and I can't figure out why.

Maybe it's just the learning curve..?

Re Giant Mealworms:
When I started, I accidentally got a batch of some 75 'medium untreated' worms that just grew...and grew....and GREW. Huge pupae, huge beetles...but once I saw the same progression in *guaranteed* untreated mealies, I knew they had to be the treated ones, and despite my desire to have more BIG BIG mealworms through breeding, fed them out. You can't select for an artificially-enhanced trait, darn it!

The chooks just loved the treat, and I've been growing the 'regulars' since.

As for selection for larger...I've been wondering about that, too...get a batch all the same age and cherry pick the ones that develop fast/large out into their own container, then grow them out for breeding, and do the same again. Have to do it with lots of recordkeeping, though--need to know if you're making actual progress, after all.

You know...at X days these were 'this long' in the first batch; at X days the second batch was 'that long'; and at X days the twentieth batch was....OMG RUN!! :)
 
onafixedincome said:
...

As for selection for larger...I've been wondering about that, too...get a batch all the same age and cherry pick the ones that develop fast/large out into their own container, then grow them out for breeding, and do the same again. Have to do it with lots of recordkeeping, though--need to know if you're making actual progress, after all.

You know...at X days these were 'this long' in the first batch; at X days the second batch was 'that long'; and at X days the twentieth batch was....OMG RUN!! :)
Click to expand...

I think I may try it. Although I may stop the selective breeding before the twentieth batch....
ep.gif
Not sure my nerves could handle them.
gig.gif
 
onafixedincome said:
Nah, that's the part where you Release The Chickens to start a real battle royale.... :) THE BIRDS meets THE WORMS....sure box office gold! :)
Click to expand...


Yes I can see it now.......the giant beetles marching gallantly across my livingroom and out the door with a huge army of giant mealies following close behind. They get to the chicken coop and stop short!! They are met with the largest, ugliest, hungriest rooster they have ever seen!!!! Then all of a sudden he crows and all the hens come arunning!!! "Whoa, retreat mealies, retreat!" LOL!!! Now see what you've done Onafixedincome??? Gotten me all sidetracked!!!! LOL!!
 
Well, I don't think chicken vs. mealie or mealie vs. chicken is near as scarry as finding them in your bowl of oatmeal or cereal in the morning. That's one movie I wouldn't want to produce!
 

Similar threads

bearcreekbees
    • Love
    • Like
Homemade Layer Ration- Animal Protein based
Replies
6
Views
3K
Altairsky
Altairsky
BarnyardChaos
What's wrong with my mealworms?
4 5 6
Replies
57
Views
17K
jlwquilter
J
L
    • Like
Day 23 and still movement! What is going on?
Replies
1
Views
213
cavemanrich
cavemanrich
orgainsect
    • Like
chicken-raising Guide
Replies
2
Views
1K
OrpingtonManiac
OrpingtonManiac
orgainsect
    • Like
    • Love
Turkey Farming: The Integration of Tradition and Modernity
Replies
4
Views
1K
R2elk
R2elk

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom