Silkworms: Food always above?

[Mesnik]

I got a Pod from Coastal but I want to set up a permanent container. Going by the Pod, I believe not only we need that plastic "fence" for them to hang but also the chow needs to stay up above them?

Is this correct, or is there another setup for it?

Thanks!!

Roberto.

 

[lonomac]

Get one of these 3 drawer containers at Walmart. They're cheap. While your there, go by the hobby section and get that plastic mesh looking stuff. Not sure what its called. Basically they come in sheets about 8x14ish. Cut them easily with scissors and put one sheet in each drawer. Throw the worms in and yer done.

http://www.cottonchipper.com/uploaded_images/chipstorage1-749799.jpg

 

[Mesnik]

And what about the chow?

 

[lonomac]

If you don't have Mulberry trees around you, you'll have to buy the chow also. Buy the powder for, its cheaper. But you can also buy it ready made if you want too.

 

[BigTex]

why do silkies need the special set up? what would happen if you didnt have the mesh screen and so forth...

 

[lonomac]

The screen is just for easier cleanup, thats all. You just lift the mesh up with the worms on it and empty frass (Silkworm Pooh) out. Other than that its going to much harder to clean.

 

[BigTex]

since silkies are more nutritious than crickets i was wondering if it would be ok to feed a few less silkies than crickets? silkies seem kind of expensive and i don't think i could afford feeding my cham 15 silkies a day...

 

[lonomac]

Probably the bigger advantage is that silks get much bigger than crickets and are easy to create your own colonies. Your cham can eat bigger worms than they can bigger crickets because of how squishy and flexible they are. So yes you could probably feed less, as long as they aren't too small. Unless someone has a better idea, its not exactly a science. You'll just have to judge by the size and guess. I have 2 separate colonies going now, I'm not expecting to pay for any more worms other than just the chow. 15 Silks is a LOT unless they're only like a week old.

 

[BigTex]

how hard is it to keep a colony productive and healthy?

 

[Mesnik]

I still don't know why the food is up on top?

Is it also to ease the clean up process?

 

[BigTex]

i am not sure, but yes i think that it is also to help with the cleaning process

 

[lonomac]

Not sure what you mean by the chow being above them....they just have to be able to get to it. Thats all. Just throw it on the same mesh they walk on. They pretty much eat all the food. If the food is drying up faster than they eat it, then dont put so much on next time. But its still easy to clean up even if it does dry up.

 

[Scotty]

Silkies have a natural instinct to travel upwards to eat.....atleast that's what I was told by a supplier of my silkies.
I have actually noticed this when I throw in a handful of fresh leaves on top of the worms, they eventually make there way on top of the leaves to graze more so than eating from under the leaves...

 

[lonomac]

Not sure if they do or not, I just know I toss the chow on their floor and they don't really care what direction its in.

 

[BigTex]

so are the colonies easy to start and maintain?

 

[lonomac]

Yes, they are. Read below

http://www.chameleonnews.com/silkworms.html

 

[lele]

I got a Pod from Coastal but I want to set up a permanent container. Going by the Pod, I believe not only we need that plastic "fence" for them to hang but also the chow needs to stay up above them?

Is this correct, or is there another setup for it?

Thanks!!

Roberto.

Roberto, check out my post on the silkworm question on the Enclosures/supplies forum regarding the plastic canvas/mesh. Also, check out the article that lonomac linked you to for setup info. I wrote 3 years ago and some better ideas have come along. People have gotten quite creative with setups. You can also check out the thread earlier in this forum on silkworm colony

lele