Silkworm Feeders, Tip.

[Will Hayward]

Here is a tip for all you silkworm fans. The poop that comes from silworms is called "Frass". The amount of Frass that you get from silkworms is approximately 20% of the food you give them, assuming all of it is eaten. This frass when dried out, works as a great fertiliser. Its quite natural and, promotes healthy soil nutrients, and in my experience plants love it. I also bury dead silkworms, the empty cocoons and everything. no peice is unused.

Don't use it in your own vegitable/food garden, but a pothos or any other chameleon plant wont mind.

 

[Marc10edora]

Isn't fertilizers bad in a Chams cage? I thought they can give out a gas that can be potentially harmful to the cham.

 

[KeijiLLC]

Isn't fertilizers bad in a Chams cage? I thought they can give out a gas that can be potentially harmful to the cham.

i think that only apply's to the artificial fertilizers.

 

[Brentford31]

i think that only apply's to the artificial fertilizers.

IE chemical fertilizers.

 

[FaunaBgirl]

I notice that when feeding the silk worm to my cham, (predominately) the fecal matter is white. Is this of which you speak?

 

[Canopy Chameleons]

Is this the same for Hornworms? Cause they sure produce alot of waste!

 

[Brad Ramsey]

I would assume any waste be it catapillar or cham
would be beneficial in the garden.
When I clean out the fish ponds all that water and waste
goes on my outside plants as well.
I never use chemical fertilizers or pesticides.

-Brad

 

[snk]

I notice that when feeding the silk worm to my cham, (predominately) the fecal matter is white. Is this of which you speak?

What was the fecal color if you are not feeding silkworm? From my past experiences, Cham does not drink as much if fed silkworm and fecal are white (proper hydration) because silkworm contain more moisture compare to some other feeders.

 

[im faster]

BUT ants like dead silk worms almost as much as the plants do...

 

[Will Hayward]

Brad, I don't reccomend using dead silkworms, they tend to mold and I havent ever had the frass mold.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

Will,

That's good to know, altough, I don't believe I mentioned using dead animals ....just waste.
I have buried dead fish from the pond in the garden tho....like my ancestors did

-Brad

 

[Will Hayward]

Oh, how did I miss read that?! Been up nearly all night.

Not sure what the chams poop contains as far as using it as fertiliser, but frass is essentially (from what I understand) ~20% of the original chow, powdered leaves with vitamins, minerals and nutrients. Plant protein essentially- how much nutrients are left over from passing through a chameleon, not sure, thought I'd hope its low.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

Lots of nitrates though!

-Brad

 

[im faster]

i thought you were saying that the dead silk worms make great fertilzer. i can see the poop does but .. never mind im goig to sleep

 

[rcagosto]

I hate and love silkworms, they are a great staple but there frass always gets stuck on there silk lol. It annoying.

 

[Will Hayward]

Keep them on screen, small screen for small worms large screen for large worms. The poop falls through, worms don't.

Worms were getting too large in this photo to have the poop fall through. but you get what I mean.

 

[rcagosto]

Thanks will, would of never thought about it

 

[Will Hayward]

For small worms, I use average house window screen, for larger ones, 1/4" wire works.

 

[rcagosto]

Thanks Will that's a good idea, I'm an idiot for not thinking of that lol. Thanks again.

Roberto

 

[Will Hayward]

Put a bin underneath to catch the frass.