Worm Farming.

[bluey]

very infomative thread! thanks...

 

[m00res]

Hey guys!

I compost with worms in addition to regular composting. It is SOOO much easier than it initially seems. If you wanted to do just the basics, a box with a lid to keep critters out, holes in the bottom, some cardboard and kitchen scraps. I use a little soil, too. I personally took an old dresser drawer, drilled holes in the bottom and put an old kitchen cabinet door on top. They eat just about anything, except citrus. The worms even love coffee grounds. I have one friend who gets leftover grounds from a local coffee shop to feed to his worms.

I do give the worms to my chickens as special treats. They will "hop" for worms. Chicken up! <chicken hops> It is really cute. Chickens can get parasites from worms, but I figure they are eating worms anyway when they are out free ranging, so I just try to boost their immune system with probiotics and natural wormers. Just like everything we do, you just have to make your own decision based on what you thingk is right.

There is a yahoo group dedicated to vermicomposting that I found very helpful when I got started. I will warn you...worms can be addictive, too! Ha!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/the_worm_bin/

Enjoy!

 

[ejones1961]

This is a good thread, thanks for posting. I have a small worm bed made from a 55 gallon drum cut in half. I used the top half flipped it over cut a couple of other drain holes and put about 3 layers of window screen over the holes to keep the worms from crawling out. I have about 15" of peat moss in there (that is about twice as much as I need, now I know). I put a 1 gallon Ice cream bucket start from my fathers worm bed (red wigglers and black wigglers) in there to start it with. I keep a small light on over it (like a night light) that keeps the worms from crawling out. I wet it down about every 5 days to keep it moist. I have been sprinkling layer crumbles on the top. It has been thriving well. I haven't fed any to my chickens but have given some away several times to kids going fishing.

 

[yanks26]

Your very welcome! I figure a post about worms was needed since there is only one place on the web for worm people to actually discuss stuff. If you want to know what that place is feel free to PM me but I dont want to spam. Only contact me if you want to learn more about worms.

 

[valmom]

Darn- I have thought about convincing my SO that growing worms in our basement was a good idea, but I thought you could feed them to the chickens! So when they free range and find worms scratching that isn't good for them? Darn. I don't think I can swing the argument for meal worms because of the whole beetles escaping thing. Worms escaping in the house aren't as problematic.

 

[yanks26]

Wait, why cant you do meal worms? I dont understand. Sorry lol.

 

[valmom]

I don't think meal worms would go over too well because of the beetle phase. Visions of our house infested with meal worm beetles is a little too much for my SO.

 

[yanks26]

Haha ok ok I got ya. That is reasonably. Might freak me out a little bit too. Why dont you try doing it outdoors?

 

[ejones1961]

Just thought I would post another comment.
We have been iced in and lost power, everything was fine until it the sun went down and there was no light over the worm bed. We had battery operated lights and lanterns in other rooms of the house. About an hour later my wife went through the utility room and the worms were in the process of leaving. Luckilly we caught it early and most were coming out of the bedding and were on top, only about 20 were out. I put a little battery operated lantern over it and they all went down into the bedding.
I usually keep it outside in my shop and it is not heated so I bring it in and put it in the utility room when it gets real cold.

 

[yanks26]

Man that was one heck of a storm! They say that some of the 1.3 million people who lost power wont regain it until Mid February. That is crazy! I hope that is not the case for you!