Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Short version of the story. I bought 4000 silk worm eggs. They hatched. I made the mulberry chow. I've been grating the stuff in the petree dishes, everyday. Each day there is less and less worms. I am starting week 3, and I probably have less than 500 remaining.

Any guiding experience out there?
I followed the "care sheet" to the punctuation marks.

Joe
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Joe
- www.chameleonkeepers.com

Hi Joe,

What are you keeping them in? They should never be too crowded and climbing all over each other in search for food.

Also, with that many I would clean out the frass (poop) and any remaining, spoiled food from an earlier feeding everytime you LOOK at them. All leps eat a lot and poop a lot! If they are too crowded the remaining frass and food can spread/produce bacterial, fungal and/or viral contaminants.

Make sure the container is well ventilated, out of direct sunlight and stays dry. You can stick them in your fridge for about 12 hours just to slow them down a little (they will think it is just a cool night - LOL!) You can't do that with ALL leps but with the silkies you can - just NOT TO COLD and NOT TOO LONG

4000 was a lot to begin with having never raised them before. Personally I would have suggested getting the smallest amount and perfect you rearing techniques. I would put them in many separate containers or one very large one. They grow FAST!!

Can you post a pic of your setup? Also, did you read the post below b/t me and anson re: NPV?

Hope this hepls you out!

lele

>>Short version of the story. I bought 4000 silk worm eggs. They hatched. I made the mulberry chow. I've been grating the stuff in the petree dishes, everyday. Each day there is less and less worms. I am starting week 3, and I probably have less than 500 remaining.
>>
>>Any guiding experience out there?
>>I followed the "care sheet" to the punctuation marks.
>>
>>Joe
>>-----
>>Joe
>> - www.chameleonkeepers.com

What are you keeping them in?
I kept them in the petree dish for the first few days, and then moved into a huge plastic container (no top). It really didn't matter--they have remained in the same big pile they were in when I moved them.

Can you post a pic of your setup?
Yes, I will get a pic posted as soon as possible.

Also, did you read the post below b/t me and anson re: NPV?
I did. I printed it out because it was some great information.