Reptile & Amphibian Forums

First, my beardie LOVES them! Now how do others keep these guys? The whole plate, wax paper thing sounds complicated and how do you keep them from taking off? So far, I do not see how they are easier than crix. I bought the premade food ( I do not even cook for myself, I am NOT cooking for a stinking worm!) Any suggestions would be appreciated, these little guys were expensive. To be honest I am a little creeped out by them.
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Stacey

>>First, my beardie LOVES them! Now how do others keep these guys? The whole plate, wax paper thing sounds complicated and how do you keep them from taking off? So far, I do not see how they are easier than crix. I bought the premade food ( I do not even cook for myself, I am NOT cooking for a stinking worm!) Any suggestions would be appreciated, these little guys were expensive. To be honest I am a little creeped out by them.
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>>Stacey

They are not nearly as hard as some people say and frankly Mulberry farms makes them sound like you can practically kill them by just looking at them wrong lol!

I keep mine in a small glass tank (10 gal), no substrate and dump a little food in each morning. Besides that, I don't do anything special for them at all. I have a few here that are almost size to start spinning cocoons and I am thrilled to finally have my breeding project off the ground. Once the frass (poop) gets too much I switch them into another empty 10 gal tank and clean the first one.

They are soooooooooooo much easier than crix. They don't escape and they don't stink!

If you have any questions, feel free to email me
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Lisa
Cricket free babies!
www.beginnersbasics.com

Mulberry farms definately makes it sound difficult thank you. I may be asking you and Rob questions from time to time. Fuego just loves these things so I am definately going to keep getting them.
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Stacey

LOL!

I just leave them in the box. I usually get the medium sized ones, I think the tiny ones might outgrow the box, Im' not sure. Anyways, I leave them in the box and grate the food over them once a day. That's it. Nothing else.

But seriously, you have to cook for them. It only takes 5 minutes in the microwave, and then it lasts you until they're all gone. If they don't eat, they'll be dead in 3 days.

Honestly, I'm a lot more creeped out by mealworms and crickets. I think the silkworms are kinda cute! They sit up and look at you when you feed them, like a puppy!
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1.0.1 bearded dragons (Ocho / Domo-kun)
0.1 kingsnake (Rio)
1.0 ferret (Playstation)
1.0 cat (Wally)
0.1 dog (Tima)

do that, glad I use crickets heheheheh, If the worm sat up and looked at me like a puppy as you say,

I would feel terrible, and would then be naming all my silkworms.

Hehehhehehehe LMAO Good luck Stacey !

Eve

I tell ya' what, Eve, when they get to be big ones it's even that much more difficult!! Honestly, when they get to be over 3.5" I have a hard time feeding them to my dragon. I wouldn't admit that to just anyone!! Oh crap, this is a public forum!!
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Rob Talkington

LMAO no kidding I would NEVER be able to do it !! :

Thats funny, I will always remember that SWEET side to you !

But really, It would make me sad, I'd just have BIG OLE WORMY PETS !!
There ya go new buisness

"EVES WORMY PETS" LMAO

Eve

EVES WORMY PETS -- Good Stuff!!
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Rob Talkington

and mean to those puppy worms

Eve

If you think the worms were expensive wait until you have big ones and then try buying the premade chow. That's when it will get expensive. If you're going to use silkies I seriously suggest you buy the powdered chow.

I'll send you somewhat of a caresheet I'm working on. I just have a couple of details on the breeding part I'm not sure of yet.
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Rob Talkington

That's is sooooooooo funny. Next you'll be teaching them to roll over on command.
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www.classylizard.com

Well now I haven't named any, damnet! I said I have a hard time feeding them to my dragon when they're that big !

Hmmm, think I'll feed my python tonight. Yeah, that's what I'll do.
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Rob Talkington

just Bends over backwards, LOL

I'm not kidding I never knew they stood up and looked at you !

Eve

I never knew they did either.
I guess I'd have to feed them with my eyes closed.
You may have something there with the pet worms, Eve. Heck, ppl bought pet rocks!!
Stranger things have taken off..my husband told me about this lastnight..(check out the link)
http://www.lodinews.com/articles/2004/01/27/news/01_birds_040127.txt

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www.classylizard.com

For some reason the link doesn't work, but if copy/paste it, it does.
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www.classylizard.com

thats so freakin funny !

Turd birds boy with all the critters i have in this house I can come up with alot of TURD CRITTERS

Eve

I'm speechless. That's just too much for the end of a work day!!
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Rob Talkington

How much are they and how many do you get? How long do they last? What do you feed them? I loathe crickets and the noise they make (not to mention the stink...). I Do feed ectotherm in their salad but like to suppliment with live feeders too.... Thanks for the help guys!!
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2.0.0 Iguanas, 2.4.0 Beardies, 0.2.1 Saharan/Nigerian Uromastyx, 1.1.1 Leos, 0.0.1 African Fat Tail, 1.0.0 Columbian Rainbow Boa, 0.0.1 Fla Garter Snake, 0.0.1 Corn Snake, 0.0.3 Fire Belly Toads, 1.0.0 Eastern Painted Turtle, 0.0.1 African Sideneck, 1.1.1 Horses {Baby next May!!!}, 2.2.0 cats, 0.1.0 dog, and I'm done for now.....

>>How much are they and how many do you get? How long do they last? What do you feed them? I loathe crickets and the noise they make (not to mention the stink...).

Check out www.mulberryfarms.com
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Lisa
Cricket free babies!
www.beginnersbasics.com

Can also try Silkworm Farm. He has a subscription program, that send you a set amount every couple of weeks. Also has silkworm colony kits to get your own colony up and running.

Has given me great service, and has also worked with me on setting up a subscription program that works into my budget.

http://www.silkwormfarm.com/

A few Q's:
1) How long they last before they start to cacoon?
2) How many crix will they replace? Like if my Beardie eats 10 crix a day, how many worms should I be feeding him?
3)Do they Stink?
4)what do they eat?
*Deap Breath* AND.......
5) How many should I buy for a 12 week old baby? (so I don't waist them all

I know it's a lot, but thanks

>>A few Q's:
>>1) How long they last before they start to cacoon?

Depends on how much you feed them and at what temperature they're kept at. My experience is at 78 degrees being fed once a day, every day they will cocoon in about 3-4 weeks give or take a couple of weeks. Seriously though, I think 3-4 wks is about right.

>>2) How many crix will they replace? Like if my Beardie eats 10 crix a day, how many worms should I be feeding him?

As many as he wants in 10-15 minutes. The quantity depends on how big the worms are. For one thing, 10 crix a day is way too little amount to begin with. I'm thinking a 10" beardie will eat 7-10 1" silkies at a sitting.

>>3)Do they Stink?

Not in the least bit. The only thing that smells is the mulberry chow when you cook it.

>>4)what do they eat?

Mulberry leaves or Silkworm Chow, which is made from Mulberry leaves.

>>*Deap Breath* AND.......
>>5) How many should I buy for a 12 week old baby? (so I don't waist them all

Personally, I'd start off with small silkies, as close to 1/2" as you can get and buy the smallest amount you can. You want to be able to feed them all off before they either get too big for your dragon or start to cocoon. That is unless you want to breed them. Just keep in mind in the beginning you will probably have to go back to crix or something to substitute until you can get a good idea of how fast yours are growing and how many your beardie is eating.
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>>I know it's a lot, but thanks

Don't hesitate to ask as much as you neee to know!!
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Rob Talkington

Thanks I do feed my beardie more than 10 crix a day, just wanted a round number. Unfortunitly, none of the pet stores sell them around here and most of the places that ship to where I live require me to buy like... 250. 250 isn't bad, he could eat that in 4 weeks or so, but they'll grow too big and go to waste.... :S Oh well, I might give it a shot, maybe breed them... I'll do a little more research though.

Thanks

But now I am going to feel bad about the d@mn worms! Silkie and Wiggles!! You guys are hilarious!
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Stacey

geew whiz, dont leave Squirmy out !

Eve

My guy is ~13", and he eats about 20 worms a sitting.
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1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Zeo)
0.2.0 Leopard Geckos (Vienna, Chomps)
1.0.0 Golden Retriever (Rocky, 11 y.o.)