What made you happy today?

[SkyAJK]

Good call, that's exactly what's wrong! The black "sticks" are dead worms. Pupae are golden-tan and chubby.

If the sides of your container are smooth and vertical, you don't really need a lid. Mealworms are the larvae of darkling beetles, which can't fly (and don't bite) and neither the larvae nor the adults can climb smooth sides, so they won't escape. If you're more comfortable with a lid, then you'll need LOTS of ventilation. For my first box, I used the tip of a hot glue gun to melt holes all over the top and up high on the sides - worked like a charm!

For the mini aquarium, I fitted the top with a piece of window screen mesh, not to keep the critters in, but to keep my cats out! Apparently, darkling beetles are great fun to pull out and chase - a lesson I learned the hard way when my worms were in an open bowl!

Whatever you use, make sure it's clean and dry before starting over. You want to make sure there's no mold or mildew left. Then you can simply sort out the live mealworms and put them in their new home with fresh food. They don't need water. They'll get all they need from a slice of potato or apple.

Good Luck!

EDIT To Add: And there's my "What Made You Happy Today?" response. I got to help someone get started on a project that will save a lot of money and make for some very happy chickens. It feels good to help!

Thank you! I get right on that mealworms journey.

 

[sourland]

Driveway, parking area and vehicles are cleared of snow and ice. We treated ourselves to lunch at Mom's Ringoes restaurant.

 

[SkyAJK]

Good Morning.
I am happy today because I will be shopping for my chicken housing..gate/door replacement and I will be taking my tiny Pekin frizzle rooster out with me.
I hope that big store let chicken in because I saw many customers with their dogs in the shopping trolley, and I will have my handsome tiny Pekin frizzle rooster.

I am happy whenever I take my chicken out anywhere. My old rooster loved to go on a car drive, he stuck his head out when stopped at traffic light and people were amaze seeing him in the passenger seat head out the window.