Raising feeder insects

[hannakat]

Quote:
All I can say is WHOA!


Edited to ask....can you post a picture of the colony? I'd like to see your setup....just started a meal worm farm a few weeks ago and it's doing great. Don't know if I could 'handle' big critters like that but hope seeing your gang will inspire me. TX!

 

[Kassaundra]

Quote:
All I can say is WHOA!


Edited to ask....can you post a picture of the colony? I'd like to see your setup....just started a meal worm farm a few weeks ago and it's doing great. Don't know if I could 'handle' big critters like that but hope seeing your gang will inspire me. TX!

I'll post some pics of the set up, but it will be a day or two, I go to work in the morning and won't be home until Fri. so it will either be fri, or Sund. (I work very long days)

 

[gumbii]

looking good...


my colony has just split into two... they're getting too big for the 55g tubs...

did you do the mealworm farming too...?

 

[Kassaundra]

Quote:
No but I have set up a home made "biopod" to raise black soldier fly larva. None yet, have to wait on mother nature for that.

 

[knaup109]

Anyone here feed the bugs from the mealworm? do your chicken like it?

 

[hannakat]

Quote:
Don't exactly know what you mean by bugs? The beetles maybe? I'm not feeding the beetles to the chickens because it's the beetles that lay the eggs that hatch into tiny meal worms (larva) that grow into bigger and bigger meal worms that morph into pupa that morph into beetles....** taking a breath ** .....so I'm keep a good portion of beetles in order for my colony to grow to the size that can maintain the need.

But yes, you can feed any of the stages to chickens...they love 'em all.

 

[drgnflyz]

I am am both repulsed and intrigued... okay I have to ask- HOW do you feed them (roaches) to your chickens? Surely you don't just throw a handful of live roaches to scurry about and hope they all get eaten...do you? Ack, shiver, ick.

I am all about home grown, organic, and I LOVE bizarre foods of all kinds. THE only exception is when it comes to roaches not sure what it is, but I just get sick thinking about those things! Sooooo I am torn between raising meal worms and earthworms. Successfully raised crickets for pet toads, and while I agree with the negatives about them (escape often, smelly) they do make soothing noises, and they are fun to watch- industrious critters. For anyone considering vermiculture, this tutorial looks good- http://www.instructables.com/id/Worm-bin-bag-for-indoor-vermicomposting-and-easy-s/

Haven't checked on the protein % difference between meal and earthworms, but I suspect that earthworms would be higher in protein, though more labor intensive. But they also provide worm castings for the garden. Hmmmm, anyone with experience doing both want to throw their 2 cents in?

 

[Kassaundra]

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I throw out a few at a time, and trust me NONE escape, they LOVE them. I have read on other threads that earthworms can give chickens a parasite called gapeworm. (a parasite that attatches to their trachea) Don't know if raising them yourself would lessen the chances of them carrying the parasite or not, but I'd check that out before deciding.

 

[hannakat]

How do you heat the colony? I have been doing some research and heating it is one of 2 problems I would have. One of the websites I was reading mentioned that they are easier to digest than meal worms, which makes them very desirable. I don't know if I could actually handle them though

Wish I knew someone local who had them so that I could test my resolve!

 

[Kassaundra]

I still won't hold/pick them up w/ bare hands I use the yellow dish washing gloves and it isn't so bad anymore, did take a little getting used to though.

I started using the heating pad under the aquarium like all the sites suggested, but was very unhappy w/ the results, had a hard time keeping the heat up, didn't like the idea of the heating pad running that much. So I use a 25 watt red party light bulb. It keeps the colony mid to high 80's all the time, they don't seem to mind the light at all, the water crystals may dry out a little faster, but I keep them covered and it isn't to bad at all.

I also lined the outside of my aquarium w/ that mylar covered styrofoam sheets you can buy for a couple of dollars at Lowes. Just cut them to size and taped them around the bottom and sides of the aquarium, keeps the heat in and blocks the red light. Put them mylar facing in and white side facing out.