Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Okay, little confused on the silkworm chow. Do you guys keep it in the fridge in the container that you cooked it in or do you switch it to something more airtight? Also, for grating the chow onto the silkworms...do you just cut a chunk off, grate, then put the rest back in the container or what? Be glad when I've got this silkworm thing down...causing me lots of worries! LOL

Gald plastic container with tight sealed lid, then take out a cube and grate it as needed.

If you have any ideas on cleaning them out..... LOL let me know, they stick to everything!!
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www.reptilerooms.com

>>Okay, little confused on the silkworm chow. Do you guys keep it in the fridge in the container that you cooked it in or do you switch it to something more airtight? Also, for grating the chow onto the silkworms...do you just cut a chunk off, grate, then put the rest back in the container or what? Be glad when I've got this silkworm thing down...causing me lots of worries! LOL

this will help.

As far as keeping the chow goes I cook it up in the pan, poor it into a rubbermaid container (maybe 14"x6" then immediately place a sheet of seran wrap on top of it (especially before it cools). Press the seran wrap onto the chow so it clings to it. When you need some just peel back part of the seran wrap. Doing this way will help keep the moisture in the chow and keep it sterile. I guess if it's not sterile it can cause the worms harm. Now I used to wear rubber gloves when handling it but don't now and haven't had any problems. Make sure you have an air tight lid for the container as well.

After I pour it out of the pan there is always a good amount still in the pan which I let cool then get out with a plastic spoon. I usually just give it directly to the worms since I usually don't make more until I really need it. Keep in mind, though, miss a day of feeding and you will find the worms start to eat the little horns off the back of the other worms.

Grating the chow depends on how big the worms are. If they have just hatched you need to grate a layer of chow on the entire colony. This is because they do not have the ability to move to the chow. Do this every couple of days for about a week.

If they are a little bigger (maybe 1/2 inch or so) they have the ability to move to the chow so you can just cut it into small chunks and place it here and there. Observe the worms eating. If each chunk seems to be completely engulfed with worms that indicates you don't have enough different chunks of chow and the worms will not thrive.

When you start offering chunks make sure you let them completely dry out between feedings or you may get mold which will kill the worms.

Note: I've found that if I put the grater in the fridge and make it cold the chow will grate easier and you won't have a big clump suddenly fall off the grater onto the worms.
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Rob

I have read that the microwave is better to use.
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Rob