snitz427
Chameleon Enthusiast
They were both females!
Posting my silkworm experience
- Thread starter snitz427
- Start date
They were both females!
snitz427
Chameleon Enthusiast
1000 is too many, and I have 4 chams! I would buy a smaller number of eggs. 100-250. You could feed off plenty and still have enough left to try for eggs. I’d let 3 dozen or more pupate to refill your egg stash - then you can take out and hatch small quantities. Its much easier with less silkworms.
snitz427
Chameleon Enthusiast
I really dont want to jinx myself - but these guys have been hardy and healthy. I think the key is to keep the lid off while they are growing so that poop dries out and only feed what they’ll eat in a day.
The only silkworms that died were maybe A dozen that didnt successfully pupate. No silkworms died before spinning.
The only silkworms that died were maybe A dozen that didnt successfully pupate. No silkworms died before spinning.
BECHARD4
Established Member
I think it’s well worth breeding your own feeders if possible.
We have been breeding silks for a few years now. We usually do a large hatch every spring, feed a bunch, and cocoon more. Hoping for a couple 100 of cocoons by the time they are all done.
Silk worms seem to be hard to find around here, so I like to always have eggs available.
The chams also love the silk moths too.
We have been breeding silks for a few years now. We usually do a large hatch every spring, feed a bunch, and cocoon more. Hoping for a couple 100 of cocoons by the time they are all done.
Silk worms seem to be hard to find around here, so I like to always have eggs available.
The chams also love the silk moths too.
snitz427
Chameleon Enthusiast
I agree, raising your own feeders if possible is the way to go. It does take a little more work up front, but will eventually save you time and money.
I also don’t think raising silkworms is as bad as people make it out to be, so long as you are willing to commit a little time every day or two.
I'm gonna share my experience with silkworms. It takes way too much g effort or maybe I'm just doing it wrong.
I bought about 100 eggs, most of them hatched. I fed them fresh mulberry leaves twice a day, in the morning and at night and it takes time to remove them from the old dried leaves. In the beginning I have no idea they were very sensitive animals and many died. 7(I think) made it into adult moths. It's the process of feeding them that made it tedious for me.
I bought about 100 eggs, most of them hatched. I fed them fresh mulberry leaves twice a day, in the morning and at night and it takes time to remove them from the old dried leaves. In the beginning I have no idea they were very sensitive animals and many died. 7(I think) made it into adult moths. It's the process of feeding them that made it tedious for me.
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Rst_Cham
Chameleon Enthusiast
I started breeding by simply buying 30 adult worms. Fed off ten and the other twenty pupated. 17 moths emerged, 10 of those successfully mated and laid lots of eggs. Those eggs are in fridge. In meantime, I bought 200 eggs, 175 hatched and are now adults, probably a week or two still to go before they're big enough to pupate. I only have one cham so I feed off some but going to let most pupate and mate. Hoping to get enough eggs in the fridge to last all year, hatching out just really small batches every couple weeks.
Big E
Member
I think you are asking for "gutter guard". That can be found in many hardware departments and stores. I think that might be the netting you speak of.
amfire125
Established Member
Super helpful! Thank you!
BECHARD4
Established Member
Exactly
BECHARD4
Established Member
Nice.... lots of eggs coming. Our moths just started to hatch.. and the breeding is on.
I would die! I had so much trouble with just the 10 cocoons I got. Only one managed to get out on its own. The others I had to cut out. A few I could not tell if they were ready so they died in the cocoon.
Tell me more about hatching out smaller batches... I have eggs that will be ready to remove from the fridge on the 29th. I do not want to end up with tons... Can I just remove 20 from the fridge at a time. Or do the eggs die if they are left in the fridge? Also should I get the petri dishes with lids to hatch them out in?
snitz427
Chameleon Enthusiast
I would avoid petri dishes like the plague. Just buy some cheap food storage containers. Once they are a few days old you can just leave the lid off.
You can take them out as needed. The longer they are in there the lower the hatch rate, but you can always take a few more out to account for that.
Ok great thank you! I was worried about the petri dishes lol.
I remember reading somewhere that the eggs can last for a few years in the fridge.
Spyro
Avid Member
Not in our experience. 6 months is probably the longest you can go before seeing significantly lower hatch rates. We can't usually keep them that long anyways.
cham_urchin
Established Member
What a great thread - thanks to everyone who contributed!
So, once the moths emerge (and, do they always need help?) do they stay in the lined bin and mate (hopefully) right there? After that, you collect the eggs and chill until you (or they) are ready? Feed off the moths? (Thats gonna suck- they are the CUTEness)
Do you hatch them out in the small container (not a petri dish) and just at a warmish room temp?
So, once the moths emerge (and, do they always need help?) do they stay in the lined bin and mate (hopefully) right there? After that, you collect the eggs and chill until you (or they) are ready? Feed off the moths? (Thats gonna suck- they are the CUTEness)
Do you hatch them out in the small container (not a petri dish) and just at a warmish room temp?
