Mealworm Farm

[CKfarm22]

Does anyone on here do a mealworm farm using the 3-tier walmart plastic organizers, and how did you get it started? I’m interested in doing my own but don’t know how to start/where to start.

I know with the idea i’m going for beetles at the top, eggs in the second drawer and mealworms in the third drawer…

But do i buy the mealworms and have them turn into beetles? I’m confused with the whole process.

 

[TenTimes]

I don't. But I think I remember the whole process taking up to 5 months. To better understand the process, look up videos on Darkling Beetle Life Cycle.

 

[Perris]

I do. Thread here
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/first-attempt-at-mealworm-farming.1350136/
It is still going.

 

[TenTimes]

I do. Thread here
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/first-attempt-at-mealworm-farming.1350136/
It is still going.

This is where it's at. Nice.

 

[CKfarm22]

I do. Thread here
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/first-attempt-at-mealworm-farming.1350136/
It is still going.

I’m assuming you’ve had very good luck with it?

I didn’t read all the slides, there’s so many, i tried to look more at your replies. So you buy mealworms and let them eat until they get to the beetle stage? And then the beetles lay their eggs and those eggs turn into mealworms?

 

[Perris]

So you buy mealworms and let them eat until they get to the beetle stage? And then the beetles lay their eggs and those eggs turn into mealworms?

yes

 

[Tonyroo]

I did try it but wasn't successful, I just used a 2 tier plastic box but the process took about 6 months. From large mealworms turning into beetles then wait for them to drop there eggs. Then raising the baby mealworms to size.

My biggest issue was mold developing and the smell.

I just buy them than raise them.

 

[Melki]

www.instagram.com/melchior.deleusse Hi ! If you want, I talk about mealworms farming on my page

 

[sustainer]

I use 4 of these 2 plastic drawer sets. Stacking 2 on top of each other. I had a mite infestation and did the Vaseline at the top of the drawers to rid them. I also sometimes combine everything into just 2 drawer sets instead of 4. I am over run with beetles right now. I have read that chickens dont like the beetles as much as the worm or pupae. Does anyone feed the beetles to their chickens? We always have the beetles in our barns under hay and our chickens scratch. So i have been freezing the worms for winter feed when there wont be as much scratch in the barns. But i would like to know if I should do the same with the beetles. There are way too many. Also, I learned that using wheat bran instead of oatmeal makes clean up so much easier. I did purchase the sifters from amazon and they work great! i do have a few drawers that still have the oatmeal, but working it out and will use wheat bran in all the drawers. They eat veggies and fruit, but i need to work on only putting enough in for the to eat short term or fruit flies come in. I watch others’ articles to learn, and at times would sell it all!!! We divide out the 3 stages with a spoon and it does take a while because there are so many…. But it is good family time.