where can i find chow?

[Lazy Boy]

So I'm super bummed. I got 500 silkworm eggs last week from mulberry farms. After they arrived I begun collecting small young mulberry leaves. There isn't enough to get thru only on mulberry leaves so I try to order a 1/2 bag from mulbarry farms *nope* order needs to be about double that to even order. So I go to Coastal Silkworms they have it in stock and I get priority shipping. They are in San Diego and I am about a hour south of Sacramento. Tracking number comes thru yesterday that it got shipped out. Right on just might get here before they pop (just turned light grey/blue) should pop in the next day or two. Check tracking and WTF they shipped it First Class Mail. So I paid over 8 dollars to get a 1/2 of silkworm chow sent to me first class. Are you joking me. So now my chow won't be here tell the end of the week and I'm bummed. Anyone around have any chow they can spare to get me by? Could be some silkies in it for you.

 

[Lazy Boy]

I do have some young mulberry leaves also. How hard is it to switch to chow from leaves? So bummed right now but really I guess its my fault.

 

[sandrachameleon]

use the leaves you have, along with some dandelion leaves, until the chow arrives. Keep them cool (not cold, not warm) as they will grow a little slower /eat less.


they wont want to switch from leaves to chow, but they will - especially if you use both when you transition - meaning start including chow with the leaves at first - if needs be the first time you introduce chow you can actually smeared a bit of chow thinly on mulberry leaves. Then once they are eating well keep adding just bits of chow.

you don't say where you live, so it will be hard for anyone to identify if they live near you and can easily help you out

if you paid for faster shipping than you got, call the company. maybe they will make it right / reship courier.

 

[Lazy Boy]

use the leaves you have, along with some dandelion leaves, until the chow arrives. Keep them cool (not cold, not warm) as they will grow a little slower /eat less.


they wont want to switch from leaves to chow, but they will - especially if you use both when you transition - meaning start including chow with the leaves at first - if needs be the first time you introduce chow you can actually smeared a bit of chow thinly on mulberry leaves. Then once they are eating well keep adding just bits of chow.

you don't say where you live, so it will be hard for anyone to identify if they live near you and can easily help you out

if you paid for faster shipping than you got, call the company. maybe they will make it right / reship courier.

I will give that a try. I called Coastal Silkworm this morning to ask them why it was shipped first class. The women on the phone said Priority & First class are the same and it should take the same amount of time. Now we all know this is untrue and first class takes much longer. She pretty much told me I don't know what to tell you and can't help you. I'm so pissed right now. I did say I'm about a hour south from Sacramento but I live in Stockton, Ca . Very unhappy with this site sponsor right now with no service.

 

[laurie]

From where costal is - near san diego- and where you are you should get the chow within the 3 days anyway. But if you have access to mulberry leaves, forget chow. Chow is not cheap, mulberry leaves are, and leaves are natural for your worms. You can even sort of shred leaves over the eggs when the hatch.

 

[Lazy Boy]

From where costal is - near san diego- and where you are you should get the chow within the 3 days anyway. But if you have access to mulberry leaves, forget chow. Chow is not cheap, mulberry leaves are, and leaves are natural for your worms. You can even sort of shred leaves over the eggs when the hatch.

I was only going to use chow to get thru the first week or two then change them over to leaves. I just went thru my stash of young leafs and with a little bit of hunting I might be able to pull this off with mulberry. Fingers crossed.

 

[Lazy Boy]

Bingo bango bongo we got silkies today. Mulberry leafs it is. Thanks babe for the phone pics. Now about dandelion leaves we are talking about the green leafs near the ground correct. Also can the baby silks jaws chew thru it or should I wait for them to get bigger.

 

[sandrachameleon]

yes, dandelion grows low to the ground and has yellow flowers.
the leaves (especially young small fresh spring leaves) are a good gutload for most feeders, including silkworms (up to 50% using mulberry for the rest).
the flowers are good too, but silks prefer the leaves.

 

[Lazy Boy]

I got to thinking and remembered my grandma has a fruitless white mulberry had to give G-ma a call and go out to see her and the tree . Jackpot grandma says I can take any leaves I want and can harvest them before winter. Well that fixed that problem. I will keep the chow powder in the fridge for a rainy day. These things are growing like crazy on leaves.