type of worms for compost and chickens

[LaPetiteFarmer]

I know chickens love mealworms but I don't think mealworm can live in a compost bin... so I was wondering if there is any type of worm I can use for both of them (I read that some chickens were not too kin of red worms). Also for the one who raise mealworms, do you use them only for chickens, reptiles....? I would like to start raising some mealworms but if it's only for my chickens I don't know if it's worth it. Do chikens eat the beetles as well?

 

[TexasLea]

I was thinking of setting up a worm farm for the chickens and my flower beds too. I didn't want to get red wigglers just because they are smaller, I was going to go with night crawlers. I hope someone chimes in on how those would work.

As for mealworms, they are so simple to breed, you really should do it if you want your chickens to have them as a treat. I use a large plastic shoebox with a few holes drilled in the lid. I did not have an elaborate drawyer system or anything where I switch them around every couple of weeks. I really didn't care if there are all sizes mixed together in there. Also, I like superworms better. They do require a tiny bit more work since you have to sepreate them to get them to pupate, but they are twice the size of mealworms and the chickens really like them.

 

[midwestchickenwrangler]

I have european night crawlers in a rubbermaid tote. They are super easy to care for and they multiply quickly. I feed mine about once a week. They eat things like shreded paper, banana peels & other veggie scraps. No meat, milk or oils though. My chickens gobble them up when they get worms to eat. It feels good knowing that I can get two GREAT things from my trash (healthy worms & very good organic compost). Feel free to PM me for more on raising night crawlers or if you want some.

 

[LaPetiteFarmer]

Thank you for your answers....
As far as set ups my DH just got 2 of Worm factory 360 worm bin for $35 each instead of $100, so now I just need more tips on learning how to start and get some worms.
Midwestchickenwrangler do you cut your worms in pieces to your chickens? And if you don't mind I will be greatful if I can get any tips from you. Can I raise european worm on the bins I just got?
Thank you.

 

[Stephanie739]

I just started raising mealworms. I ordered 500 to start with but just ordered another 1000 because I was giving them to the chickens and they were eating them faster than I expected. They loved them! I put them in a big plastic container with a container of oatmeal and a potato. I have no idea whether they are multiplying. I'll add the next batch to the bucket when they arrive and see what happens. I'm not putting a lot of effort into the project, but I really would love for them to help with winter feed cost.

I am in the process of researching and planning on setting up a composting area, but had not considered worms for it...thanks for the heads up!

 

[midwestchickenwrangler]

Thank you for your answers....
As far as set ups my DH just got 2 of Worm factory 360 worm bin for $35 each instead of $100, so now I just need more tips on learning how to start and get some worms.
Midwestchickenwrangler do you cut your worms in pieces to your chickens? And if you don't mind I will be greatful if I can get any tips from you. Can I raise european worm on the bins I just got?
Thank you.

I don't cut the worms up for the chickens, just feed them whole.
I have only seen red crawlers in the bins that you have. I'm not sure about using night crawlers in those. You could give it a shot and see what happens. I used a rubbermaid container because I already had one. Im really happy with how easy they are to care for. I would like to expand my worm bin in the future.

 

[LaPetiteFarmer]

Ok so I was completely off... the worm factory is only for the red wiggler

, however, I went to walmart and bought a rubbermaid and some oatmeal for dirt cheap, and after I got from a local 2000 (yes 2000!!!) small mealworm for $12. I added some potatoes, baby carrots and shredded newspaper. I closed the lid full with holes for ventilation... and that's it!!! They seem so happy in there... Actually I was so surprised on how fast they devoured the veggies.
Can I add some greens in there?

 

[SunnyAlberta]

I've been reading about worm composting. Night crawlers and the earth worms we find on pavement after a rain are not recommended by any site I've read. That said, I have no experience with this.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermicompost#Suitable_species

 

[galanie]

NIght crawlers are often raised the same way as red wigglers. But, to grow them mainly for the chickens, I'd raise mealworms instead. They multiply MUCH faster and are in my opinion much easier to raise. You can do it in a plastic shoebox under the bed even. As long as the container is a couple inches deeper than the bedding is and slippery like plastic, they can't get out. Even the beetles (adult mealworms) can't fly.

 

[LaPetiteFarmer]

Between yesterday and today we got 5000 mealworms and 2000 red wrigglers for $50. I put my mealworms in 2 separate plastic containers with carrots, potatoes, apples, egg container and oatmeal. They ate so much of it already. As for the red worms, I am going to put them tomorrow in the worm factory and tonight I will watch some videos in Youtube to do it the correct way. My chicks are going crazy with those wormies, it's hilarious. As far as the 3 drawers, I don't think I will do it because I bought so many that I don't really care if the beetles eat some of the eggs. I watched on youtube a guy who has been raising worms for the past 12 years and they are all together, so that is the way I am going to start. But thank you for helping me with my new project!