halfdome@tc.fluke.COM (Alex Dorchak) (05/20/91)
Thanks to everyone that responded on the net and to all who sent e-mail. After reading all of this information, and, talking to several pet store owners. I have designed the following mealworm production system. I plan to build 4-6 trays. Each tray will be 4 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 4 inches deep. These trays will slide into a cabnet. Each tray will have a cover made of wood and screen door screen. In the bottom of these trays I will put a layer, 2 inches, of poultry mash (This is the obvious choice for a bird farmer :-) ). On top of the meal and face down, I will put four potato halves (most people think I need these for moisture). I plan to stock my farm with these extra large "JUMBO" mealworms. The local pet shop owner informed me that they do not refrigerate these "JUMBO" mealworms. I hope this does not mean they will not become beetles. Anyway, if the project is a success, I will post a follow-up to this follow-up. BTW Several people suggested that I try night crawlers. I fed my birds worms for years with no problem and, the birds loved'em. But lately I've read more and more information about various disease problems associated with feeding earth worms to pets. Because of this, I've decided to stop while I'm ahead! Thanks again, Alex Dorchak's fine feathered friends -- Alex Dorchak Domain: halfdome@tc.fluke.COM Voice : (206) 356-6443 UUCP : {uw-beaver,decwrl,microsof,sun}!fluke!halfdome USMAIL: John Fluke Mfg. Co. / P.O. Box 9090 / Everett WA 98206-9090