Silkworms

[Chameleon Caretaker]

I have always purchase my worms through Mulberry Farms in the pre made deli cups. This is becoming quite expensive I find myself ordering weekly. I'm interested in purchasing a 100 silkies and buying the chow separately but I'm not sure what to keep the silkies in...? I read the Q & A on there website but I’m still not confident enough to place the order. I’ve called them a few time and no answer yet ;( Basically I’m wondering if there are other forum member that buy there silk worms this way…?

 

[Sancho]

I have always purchase my worms through Mulberry Farms in the pre made deli cups. This is becoming quite expensive I find myself ordering weekly. I'm interested in purchasing a 100 silkies and buying the chow separately but I'm not sure what to keep the silkies in...? I read the Q & A on there website but I’m still not confident enough to place the order. I’ve called them a few time and no answer yet ;( Basically I’m wondering if there are other forum member that buy there silk worms this way…?

There is a forum member selling chow in the misc section just FYI

 

[sandrachameleon]

I buy eggs. I keep the growing silkies in several old plastic containers (former take-away chinese, sour cream, yogurt container) with scraps of paper towel on the bottom. Even shallow containers, only an inch or so high. No lids. Silkies dont go far so long as you keep them fed.

 

[panthercrazy]

I bring in 200 silks a week (lots to feed here and sell some locally), I put them on egg crate inside large shallow rubbermaids. I tip the egg crate 2-3 per day cleaning up their mess and fresh food and carry on. Like Sandra said as longs as they have food they don't stray. I find the cleaner you keep them the longer they thrive.

 

[coolmoon]

I also use a medium size rubber tub. You just need to make sure they have air flow, moisture is not good for them.

 

[Mesnik]

Jessica,

Coastal Silkworms sell a plastic container like a rubbermaid type (you can get it anywhere, but you can look there for the idea), and they use a piece of plastic fence material at the bottom so to keep the fray out of the worm's level.

That little container (say, about 10" by 5") holds 100 worms easy.

I also get the pre-made chow from them.

I would like to do the eggs, but that sounds like another hobby in itself...

(Vinny is doing great, by the way)

Roberto

 

[haleybobl]

Does anyone know if you can freeze chow after it has been prepared?

 

[Malicious]

Buy 200 smalls from Mulberry. Get 2 rubbermaid sweater bins from Wal-Mart or Target (4"x14"x30" or so). Place 2 lines of chow that run the length of the bin, place works in and feed off as needed. Silkworms require virtually sterile environments and have a very weak immune system, so cleanlyness is a must!! Wash your hands before and after handling anything that they may come in contact with, along with the chow. I'm dead serious about that, you'll find a bin full of dead worms within hours if your not smart about it. The reason I say get 2 bins is so you can transfer them while cleaning the bins, ones always clean and ones always in use. Wash everything carefully and completly after each use. You can get the next bin ready before taking them out so they are constantly feeding. If you do find dead worms, remove them at once, as they will spread the bacteria and kill off the whole bin in you are not careful. I have a bin full of cacoons at the momment and am awaiting some fresh eggs pretty soon!!

Good luck!


-Jay

 

[Malicious]

Does anyone know if you can freeze chow after it has been prepared?

I just called Mulberry Farms to ask that question, along with the shelf life for un-prepaired dry chow. I'd like to know for myself aswell. I had to leave a message, so I will get you the answer as soon as they call me back.

-Jay

 

[haleybobl]

I just called Mulberry Farms to ask that question, along with the shelf life for un-prepaired dry chow. I'd like to know for myself aswell. I had to leave a message, so I will get you the answer as soon as they call me back.

-Jay

Thanks Jay, I am very interested on both questions. I would love to keep more on hand, but if it doesn't last, there is no point. Obviously it's cheaper to order in bulk.

 

[skeeta]

When the weather gets nicer, scout your neighborhood for mulberry trees, and ask the home owners if you can "thin their foliage" a bit. Just make sure to wash the leaves thoroughly in case of spray. Once the silkies taste real leaves stand back and watch them grow! They refrigerate well, and I even had great success freezing a bunch for the winter. (I rinsed the frozen leaves in warm water and patted dry on paper towel)
Just remember, once they get a taste of the leaves they will have trouble going back to chow.

 

[Malicious]

Just remember, once they get a taste of the leaves they will have trouble going back to chow.

Ain't that the truth!! 200 medium silks will consume a gallon ziplok bag a day! The leafes are the easies to feed off aswell, place them on top of the worms and they will come to the top and feed, allowing them to stay out of thier droppings. If I had a tree....oh boy!!

 

[skeeta]

Ya don't need a tree, just a Ninja outfit and a stout pillowcase!

 

[sandrachameleon]

do you find they dont like to go back to eating chow after they've had real mulberry leaves?

 

[Malicious]

do you find they dont like to go back to eating chow after they've had real mulberry leaves?

Indeed!

They will start to eat chow after a few hours of wondering around, looking for real leafs. So its not the end of the world.

 

[Chameleon Caretaker]

Thank you all for your help I' going to get to work on there new home right away!

 

[kenya]

Hey Jessica, here is how I usually keep my silkies:

I put a new smallish chunk of chow in per day and shake out the poo. I change the paper towel as needed, usually every two days. The pictures don't show it well, but I usually put the chow on one side of the tub so that the worms crawl over onto it and leave frass etc behind for easy cleaning. I then put the next bit on the opposite side to do the same and then change the paper towel. This works well to keep it sanitary. I have a thin layer if Vaseline around the top rim to keep the ants out but will soon be replacing that with bug stop paint. These guys are kept near my baby cham cages so are kept kind of warm- about 78 degrees or so. This has worked well for me and probably will for you as well since we are in the same area.

 

[Lizardlover]

I put mine on a screen lid (from a glass tank) with a napkin underneath with a chunk of food as soon as its gone.

 

[Malicious]

Thanks Jay, I am very interested on both questions. I would love to keep more on hand, but if it doesn't last, there is no point. Obviously it's cheaper to order in bulk.

I just realized..they never called me back! bahhh...they get busy and forget at times... I will try back tomorrow.