Mealworm farming

[Kassaundra]

I know this is the mealy thread, and this video is my baby NN chicks eating dubias, this is only their 3rd time getting dubias and they are already profesional eaters. I have some videos of my adult chickens eating them too, but this was the first time to load and try and post a video.

 

[OkChickens]

A few Beetles are starting to die now from their age I guess and I have so many small mealworms! I have 6 bins packed full of small mealies and they are growing very fast! I need to figure out a way to sift out the dead Beetles. Any ideas?

Nate

 

[gale65]

I know this is the mealy thread, and this video is my baby NN chicks eating dubias, this is only their 3rd time getting dubias and they are already profesional eaters. I have some videos of my adult chickens eating them too, but this was the first time to load and try and post a video.

OMG. The eating is adorable but I just love looking at NN chicks.

 

[hemet dennis]

Wow! That is cool! It always amazes me how much people spend on adventures! I wish that I could try some of the ideas that I hear! So, do you buy the parts that you need for this operation, or do you salvage, or both?

Well I have some old bins that i will be starting some in a couple of months when I get some time. It's not that much to get one started you should give it a try. Your birds will love you for it.

 

[onafixedincome]

Not a real fan of NNs, but LOL was inevitable watching these guys! No dummies, for sure. Were you/hubby handfeeding those or pitching them in the top?

I butchered a goat a week or so ago (just before I got sick) and didn't manage to get all the odds and ends dealt with, so today I staggered out and flipped everything over. I should have had a camera. The Maggot Munching Maniacs were in full spate and having a total blast.

If I have the stamina tomorrow, I'll move the icky bits up off the ground so the bugs drop down for chickens and then sit and watch from the window...

I'm between mealie batches right now, so have to get my entertainment where I can...

 

[onafixedincome]

A few Beetles are starting to die now from their age I guess and I have so many small mealworms! I have 6 bins packed full of small mealies and they are growing very fast! I need to figure out a way to sift out the dead Beetles. Any ideas?

Nate

Use a piece of 1/8" or other relatively small mesh hardware cloth made into a cone; gently dump the beetles you sift out with a colander into the bottom of the mesh cone. The ones that climb are alive and awake; have them able to climb out and drop into new substrate with goodies; give the others 24 hours to wake up and follow suit, if they don't, feed them out.

At least, that's MY plan for sorting when I need to....hope it helps!

 

[Kassaundra]

Use a piece of 1/8" or other relatively small mesh hardware cloth made into a cone; gently dump the beetles you sift out with a colander into the bottom of the mesh cone. The ones that climb are alive and awake; have them able to climb out and drop into new substrate with goodies; give the others 24 hours to wake up and follow suit, if they don't, feed them out.

At least, that's MY plan for sorting when I need to....hope it helps!

Love that idea.

I was hand feeding individuals. Since they were in an indoor brooder (b/c of storms) and they are babies I just got so new to eating the dubias I didn't want to risk any escapees.

 

[OkChickens]

Love that idea.

I was hand feeding individuals. Since they were in an indoor brooder (b/c of storms) and they are babies I just got so new to eating the dubias I didn't want to risk any escapees.

That would be bad! I am not a fan of roaches!

Nate

 

[Kassaundra]

That would be bad! I am not a fan of roaches!

Nate

I am overly cautious, they are a very tropical insect and could not survive here outside of captivity w/ controlled heat.

 

[mychookschick]

Well I have some old bins that i will be starting some in a couple of months when I get some time. It's not that much to get one started you should give it a try. Your birds will love you for it.

Oh, I have a mealworn farm. I meant about that guys putting up walls in his barn and insulating it! LOL I went to the dollar store and bought three containers to start my mealies in! LOL