Silkworm journey

[redhorse]

So, I have used pre-hatched silkworms before but never tried to raise them myself. I have raised mealworms (multiple sizes from mini to large), waxworms, crickets, stick insects, praying mantis, superworm, white worms, brine shrimp, fruit flies and now will try silkworms.

Just wanting to share some pics as we go along. I purchased a zoom lens for camera a few months ago so think it should be fun to get the daily perspective of the silkworm (if all goes well).

Others already know that in the purchase of mix and eggs, the company challenges there are at least 500 eggs. I enlarged a picture and place colored dots on each one. I received a total of 616 eggs, so that is what we are working with. Enjoy!
Note: I learn from experimentation and will be using guides from what others have shared.
But! I will also be trying a few different things and will share only if it works (don't want other likeminded to fail as I may).

 

[Sonny13]

Raising some 100 small ones at the moment. They’re real voracious eaters, you can constantly feed them

 

[redhorse]

Thanks for the info- I will get ready then.. I am hoping to feed most off as they are going along. Will try to keep about 30 if they make it to adult (pretty good at butterfly/moth stuff). I also did cecropia moths back in the day living south of Chicago.
In the picture you might see a few other critters I have had over the years. This was a collage that I did during Masters program "ice breaker assignment".
GAME TIME---- Name the other animals.
****didn't plan the game so will remove the cropping in the second picture******

 

[Sonny13]

Bought the premix chow for them.....I think they eat around .35 oz per week

 

[redhorse]

Yikes! Might have to get more or feed other critters more often, plus feed the wild lizards in the backyard. Happy critters, happy life (or was that happy wife happy life?) I guess it applies to both but wife first.

 

[snitz427]

cool pics!!

 

[Firewallx]

Nice pictures! As someone who loves silkworms, I look forward to seeing your progress!

 

[redhorse]

If you want to share some tips I am open for ideas. Thanks!

 

[MissSkittles]

Really looking forward to more pics and progression. I love silkies

 

[Sonny13]

Yikes! Might have to get more or feed other critters more often, plus feed the wild lizards in the backyard. Happy critters, happy life (or was that happy wife happy life?) I guess it applies to both but wife first.

. As long as you feed them, you keep them really long.
Without something to snack, they die pretty quick

 

[redhorse]

I had no clue they can even be housed like this... I have only seen them with Mulberry Plants and the mix. Thank you!
What else is in the container? I see grasshoppers too.. Where did you get them?

 

[Sonny13]

I had no clue they can even be housed like this... I have only seen them with Mulberry Plants and the mix. Thank you!
What else is in the container? I see grasshoppers too.. Where did you get them?

Grasshoppers, Dubias (they´re hiding in the soil), a few left crickets and in the soil are also isopods and springtails. Just experimenting.....so far no dead bugs.
I live in the Netherlands, so probably wont do you any where I get them from . We got within 5 miles 5 stores where I can crickets and locusts.

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

I have raised .... brine shrimp, ...

Sea-Monkeys!

 

[redhorse]

I wish it were that easy! Feeding 100's of baby seahorses, betta fish babies 3 or 4 times a day.. I must have hatched out billions over the years.. Ha ha Retired from all that stuff--
None looked as nice as yours did.. lol
I need to stay focused..
So the mix seemed to be getting dry yesterday. I put about 20 drops of water in the container but not on the mix and by morning the mix absorbed the water and it looks yummy now (kind of expected it, but I have seen some cultures awfully dry and wondered why?) and will be carful not to drown the little guys and gals.
With video I can see little movement in some of the eggs.
Having problems thinking of 616 names if they all hatch. Just kidding- they will all be called "Chow".

 

[redhorse]

Actual picture of Sea Monkeys (aka Brine Shrimp) or Brine Shrimp (aka Sea Monkeys).

 

[Sonny13]

This is the recipe from the website, where I buy the silkworms and chow, and is also the chow I use for the fellas. The mixture is more a bit ´clayey`and gets dryer when from the fridge.

Chow powder
per 100 grams

Here is a description of how to prepare chow powder.

Preparation of chow:
What you need;
1 microwave safe plastic bowl / measuring cup of at least 1 liter!
1 blender or similar.
1 kettle,
1 microwave (800watt),
1 microwave safe cling film
And a spoon.

You take 100 grams of chow and keep a ratio of 1:2, which means
That on 100 grams of chow, 330 grams of HOT just barely boiling water goes.
After you have put this in a measuring cup or bowl, mix it well until you get a
Beautiful even substance. Stir with the spoon the edges well because there is
Often a lot of powder hangs. After you're done with this you cover the whole with
After you're done cover it all with cling film and put it in the microwave for 3 minutes on the highest setting!
Through the foil you will see that it comes up, and you can then also keep an eye on
Whether the whole thing is not flooding. After 3 minutes we take the foil off, grab a glove
Or tea towel for this, you stir the whole for a minute and then cover it again
Cover and put in the microwave again for 1 minute.
After this you do everything again stirring well and you can cover it. We always put the foil
On top of the chow instead of covering the tray. Let it cool completely before you put it on.
Up to 4 weeks in the refrigerator, and a year in the freezer.

 

[Sonny13]

Having problems thinking of 616 names if they all hatch. Just kidding- they will all be called "Chow".

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

None looked as nice as yours did.. lol

Not mine; I just remember the ads in the backs of comic books. Now I wish I still had those comic books!

I need to stay focused..

Having problems thinking of 616 names if they all hatch. Just kidding- they will all be called "Chow".

All my feeders are called the same... "Num-nums."

 

[redhorse]

Num nums sound much better. I can go for some Raspberry Ice-cream too. (Chow--I must be regressing to military days)

 

[Sonny13]

(Chow--I must be regressing to military days)

Nam veteran