soaking mealworms

Unknown said:

hello all, i have just brought some dried mealworms for my resident robin, it says on the pack you can soak them in warm water to re-hydrate them, my question is for how long? I did try soaking some but it was for over 1/2 hr and they still were not very good. Is there a minimum time to soak them to be safe for the robin as i assume he/she has young chicks? Regards Jason.

Hi I am doing the same for our baby Mistle Thrush I am hand rearing......

I put  about a heaped teaspoon full in a dish and cover with boiled HOT  water straight from the kettle..and leave for at least 30 mins..........then I add eggfood and cat food and mix well...this is giving me enough food for the full day........hope that helps you..........

Hi Jason

If I soak mealworms I just put them in a sieve and leave them in warm water for a few minutes while I'm putting the rest of the food out. I don't think there is any minimum time to soak them for.

Best wishes Chris

Hi Jason

I soak mine overnight, just before I go to bed I put hot water on them and leave them.  To be honest I couldn't say even after such a long soak they are really hydrated but I go by that if they bend without breaking then they must have sufficient hydration but they still make that noise when you swish them about.  However the birds don't seem to mind, they snap em up with 10 or 30 minutes or even 8 hours soaking so who knows.  

Hi Jason,

I soak mine for different lengths of time. I have even left them overnight on occasions so they are ready first thing in the morning. Normally though it is about half an hour. I always use hot water. However I do it, the birds take them all very quickly.

Hi

I only soak mine for around five minutes in hot water, and every tit and robin in the area calls in to eat them, so much so that I am filling the feeder every day now.

dont know if this is allowed its not an ansewer but would like to start putting out meal worms but what best feeder to use to stop starlings eating them all  and bulling other birds away

Unknown said:

Hello all, thanks for the advice, i'll soak them overnight and see how i get on. Kind regards Jason.

Hi again.I have been experimenting with these gross things...and they deffinatly need an overnight soak.otherwise they do not soften at all..........I have a little chain going..one dish soaked overnight and another started first thing....this way I don't run out.....