Mealworm farming

[Tivona]

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.

 

[onafixedincome]

I am pretty new at this so I am wondering what you mean when you say the beetles aren't feeling right.

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!!

 

[Tivona]

...

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!!

I think I may try it. Although I may stop the selective breeding before the twentieth batch....

Not sure my nerves could handle them.

 

[Emily1220]

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!!

 

[Ivywoods]

It's the makings of a new Alfred Hitchcock thriller!

 

[onafixedincome]

It's the makings of a new Alfred Hitchcock thriller!

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!

 

[Emily1220]

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!

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!!

 

[Ivywoods]

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!

 

[sargent spurs]

I am going to get some, but do you have to move the adult Beatles from the worms?
I am just so excited!

 

[OkChickens]

I am going to get some, but do you have to move the adult Beatles from the worms?
I am just so excited!

No you don't have to but I have found that the Beetles will sometimes eat the Pupa or mealworms.

Nate