I'd just like to ask if anyone on here breeds their own mealworms. I put out dried ones everyday at the moment. I put live ones out in the breeding season. It seems quite costly and I have wondered if it would be possible to breed my own rather than keep buying them. Maybe then I could put out live ones everyday if I could breed enough. I just haven't got a clue where to start, I guess the suppliers wouldn't inform us of the tricks of the trade as it could affect them in the long run if bird lovers bred their own.
Hi thebirdmum,
The link below will direct you to the RSPB information on breeding mealworms. You have to be careful about mites, it gives a brief description about this problem. You may need to research further.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbirds/feeding/whatfood/mealworms.aspx
Hope this answers your question.
Regards Buzzard
Nature Is Amazing - Let Us Keep It That Way
Thankyou so much for the link Buzzard, I will look into it and do some more research to see if it is viable / more economical to do.
Does anyone on here breed their own or does everyone buy them?
OOOOOH! I'm definitely gonna have a go at this, it sounds quite straight forward, I already keep crickets for my gecko's and they do well so it sounds quite straight forward. It doesn't say how long it takes for the eggs to hatch or how long the beetles live for. My Mum,Dad & partner (& his family) could take some from me if they get out of control. I could even have a little project in the name of Science & Breathing Places Project on the go at school, the kids would love that. Especiially when they watch the birds in the playground eat them :-)
It's meant to be pretty easy to breed mealies, plenty of people breed them to feed to reptiles. This site has a lot of detail on how to breed mealworms - http://www.exotic-pets.eu/mealworms.php Mites only become a problem when there is too much moisture but if you set up several containers if one becomes infected you might be able to avoid losing your whole stock.
Millie & Fly the Border Collies
Thankyou Kat Tai - That is also a very useful piece of information. I hopeyour baby gecko's are still doing well, I saw them on another thread. I am definitely going to scrounge some tins/ containers and get started. I think I'm going to start with 2 containers just in case one gets mites and I have to throw it away.
Unknown said: Thankyou Kat Tai - That is also a very useful piece of information. I hopeyour baby gecko's are still doing well, I saw them on another thread. I am definitely going to scrounge some tins/ containers and get started. I think I'm going to start with 2 containers just in case one gets mites and I have to throw it away.
Yup, they are still doing well, one of them has a real cheeky look lol
I've just found a really good video for breeding mealworms on u tube :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1T_xl4446Co
Gosh people put videos of all sorts on there !!!
hi Buzzard
Intereresting link of information Buzzard and I am open minded to finding out lots of information.{smile and thumbs up}
I have never thought of breeding Mealworms at all as they make me quirm all over - yuk!!
Too much time consumed by looking after them (like pets) depending how much time you have got of course.
Dried ones are the best to me. Some warm water to dehydrate them once more and the birds love them just as much. My Mr Robin is at my feet when I take the Dehydrated Mealworms outside.
Years ago I managed to deal with compost worms, and they are another slippery customer to deal with - lively too. Still they have a function to do waht they do in the life cycle as we know it.
Personally, I think I will stick to the dried ones here
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Buzzard said: Hi thebirdmum, The link below will direct you to the RSPB information on breeding mealworms. You have to be careful about mites, it gives a brief description about this problem. You may need to research further. http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbirds/feeding/whatfood/mealworms.aspx Hope this answers your question. Regards Buzzard
Hi Blackbird,
I don't really get squeamish as I have got 2 gecko's & a cornsnake that need feeding. I had a bumper year for babies last year, even my blue tits successfully reared 2 clutches. Had lots of robins,great tits, greenfinches & goldfinches. I think the dried ones must be hard for the babies to swallow so I put out live mealworms in breeding season. It cost me a fortune in mealworms last year so I am just trying to think ahead and save myselff some money. I am buying my boxes, oatmeal & mealworms tomorrow, can't wait to get started and plan to feed those cutie babies that will be due in a few months time.
I've never thought of soaking them in warm water before - thanks I'm gonna try that.
I couldn't cope with breeding mealworms. I buy dried ones, despite them being so expensive. I put a days' supply in a dish, cover them with warm water for 10 minutes, then scatter them about. They are soft and palatable when soaked, just like the real thing.
Last breeding season the birds fought over them. I watched starlings cram 10 to 15 in their beaks, fly off, then come back within minutes for more.
Anyone know where to buy cheap ones?
Cheers, Linda.
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