Any good resources on silkworm breeding?

[KRuehle]

Considering breeding silkworms, I know the basics, however I'd like a bit more information. I know some people have tricks on how to make the whole process easier and more efficient. Let me know please!

 

[ispeedonthe405]

I've had good luck following this:
http://www.mulberryfarms.com/Care-Raising-Tips-FAQ-12.html

I don't know if this counts as a trick, but I like to dole out the chow with a straw. Cut a straw in half, poke it in the food to fill it up, then squeeze out a little tube of chow. Makes it easier for me to feed consistent amounts.

 

[MeruJack]

I grow all my own silkworms from eggs. They are VERY easy to grow from eggs. I buy one petrie dish at a time containing 250 eggs from Coastal Silkworms for $12.95 total via eBay. The eggs hatch 3-7 days after they arrive. One day after they hatch, I place the petrie dish into a plastic shoebox and feed them a layer of finely grated silkworm chow. The box is kept on a shelf in my reptile room which has a daily temp of 75 degrees and about 66-68 at night. Each morning I use a veggie grater to sprinkle a layer of finely grated food from one end of the box to the other. And that's it. You can make them grow faster by feeding them more often (as long as you don't let the moisture build up in the box due to too much wet food) or, if you find that you have too many silks to feed off, you can slow down their growth by feeding them every other day. It has been my experience that the silkworms will rarely crawl out of the box as long as there is enough food. I do have a lid for the box that has holes drilled in it but I only use it for the first few weeks. Once the silks get big enough the box will start to retain too much moisture (which collects on the side of the box) so I stop using the lid until my next batch of eggs. If the silks get too big/too crowded before I can feed them off, I will separate them into two shoe boxes. Even though I only buy "250" eggs, I usually end up with about 400 worms so I always end up using two shoe boxes. I do not use any heat, water or light other than the ambient heat, humidity and lighting in my reptile room. This is a great feeder for chameleons and can be quite easy to keep. Good luck!!

 

[gotwqqd]

http://feederinsectbreeding.blogspot.com/p/silk-worm-care-and-breeding.html?m=1

 

[KRuehle]

I grow all my own silkworms from eggs. They are VERY easy to grow from eggs. I buy one petrie dish at a time containing 250 eggs from Coastal Silkworms for $12.95 total via eBay. The eggs hatch 3-7 days after they arrive. One day after they hatch, I place the petrie dish into a plastic shoebox and feed them a layer of finely grated silkworm chow. The box is kept on a shelf in my reptile room which has a daily temp of 75 degrees and about 66-68 at night. Each morning I use a veggie grater to sprinkle a layer of finely grated food from one end of the box to the other. And that's it. You can make them grow faster by feeding them more often (as long as you don't let the moisture build up in the box due to too much wet food) or, if you find that you have too many silks to feed off, you can slow down their growth by feeding them every other day. It has been my experience that the silkworms will rarely crawl out of the box as long as there is enough food. I do have a lid for the box that has holes drilled in it but I only use it for the first few weeks. Once the silks get big enough the box will start to retain too much moisture (which collects on the side of the box) so I stop using the lid until my next batch of eggs. If the silks get too big/too crowded before I can feed them off, I will separate them into two shoe boxes. Even though I only buy "250" eggs, I usually end up with about 400 worms so I always end up using two shoe boxes. I do not use any heat, water or light other than the ambient heat, humidity and lighting in my reptile room. This is a great feeder for chameleons and can be quite easy to keep. Good luck!!

Do you not raise them to cocoon stage and let them become moths to lay more eggs? If not, why?

 

[MeruJack]

Do you not raise them to cocoon stage and let them become moths to lay more eggs? If not, why?

No, I do not. I did the first time but I didn't get very many eggs, most of the moths had wing deformities, and the moths excreted a smelly, messy liquid. I feel it is more economical for me to raise them from purchased eggs and feed them off when they are still somewhat small as most of my chameleons are smaller species and prefer smaller feeders. It works for me!