Questions about raising silkworms

Ok I am considering raising silkworms for my chams.

Are leaves from a weeping mulberry and a Morus nigra. Dwarf Mulberry tree be ok to feed?

Is there any way to store leaves to feed during the winter?

Does anyone have links to any care sheets etc... on breeding silk worms?

How much time does it take per week? I am usually in the reptile room 2-3 times a day but time is limited some days.

Any information would be greatly appreciated

I know the dwarf and weeping mulberry leaves are good. im not sure about the other one. I know there are a few people on this site that have very good care sheets for raising silkworms. Im sure they will chime in soon. Good luck with that and please keep in touch as im also interested in raising some myself just lack the confidence to try...

https://www.chameleonforums.com/silkworms-101-a-7906/

Here ya go, about half way down the first page. I have been raising silkworms from eggs with great success. Not much time involved. If you are around once a day that's plenty. You can go a few days without needing to change their food if you give them enough and it stays moist.

I use a egg incubator that has a screen for poop to fall through. Maintenance is very easy. Sanitation is key though. You will want to wash out your keeper every 2-3 days. they poop a lot. bacteria will grow and then dead worms.

Really not a huge time commitment, I don't see why more people don't do it. I have had all 100% hatches from my first three batches (30,100, and I just hatched 200 little wormies). I got some eggs from unknown source through my local reptile store, and some from Recorp. Try it out!

I wont be able to tell you about the leaves though. I just make my own chow from dry.

Heres another good link

http://www.silkwormstore.co.uk/guide-to-raising-silkworms.html

I have a blog on these forums, and also my new updated blog linked In my signature. The blogspot blog is the one I keep updated w new info and pictures. It is pretty detailed and should help you out.

Ok I think I am almost ready to order some eggs.
One more question tho. How do you get the gutter guard to lay flat?

York1 said:

Ok I think I am almost ready to order some eggs.
One more question tho. How do you get the gutter guard to lay flat?

Click to expand...

Once I cut it to size I just bend it backwards or roll it the opposite way to get it straight. It will eventually lay flat.

Is there any difference between the types of silkworms? I noticed they had zebra and a few different colors.


Also does the large tub where the worm form the cocoons have to be clear? I tried cutting into two clear totes today and both ended up cracking and breaking

York1 said:

Is there any difference between the types of silkworms? I noticed they had zebra and a few different colors.


Also does the large tub where the worm form the cocoons have to be clear? I tried cutting into two clear totes today and both ended up cracking and breaking

Click to expand...

Its doesn't have to be clear, I alternate between clear ones and blue clearish ones. Yeah you have to be careful the plastic bins like to crack when you cut them.

Zebra silks tend to be hardier than the regular ones. I haven't bought the colored ones, just plain zebras.

here are a few more links you may find useful

https://www.chameleonforums.com/silkworms-101-a-7906/
http://www.chameleonnews.com/05FebCaruthers.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/pigglett79/silk-worm-rearing-and-breeding/
http://www.wormspit.com/bombyxsilkworms.htm
https://www.chameleonforums.com/those-who-have-silkworkms-their-own-mulberry-tree-31456/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juLU39aJzik&feature=channel_page
https://www.chameleonforums.com/what-do-you-keep-your-silkworms-26605/#post241334

Thank you all for the info. I really appreciate it. I got all my bins together and my eggs started hatching yesterday.

How long do you keep them in the petri dish?

How many worms can the smaller rearing bins hold?

Just a quick update
As of this past weekend I have cocoons! I may have kept a few to many worms to raise to this point. Next time around i will probably keep 30 female and about 20 males.

Well if all goes well I should have a ton of eggs in a few weeks.