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Boardwalk :: Forum List Six (6) New Worm Digest Forums 1) General Earthworm Discussion Forum
glowery
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A Protected Species Earthworm
Posts: 127
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 On starting my red worms - 2006/05/12 12:28 I promise this will be my last question for a while

I have these plastic containers that I have saved over the last couple of years that ice cream comes in these hold 1 1/2 gallons. If we drill some air holes in the tops would these be okay to start the worms in until there is enough then to add to a large bin. (Now these are worms I will dig myself from the manure piles.)

I think starting small until I can learn to guage how much manure to feed and not cause a heating problem, would be better before I start a big bin. I can really keep a closer eye on these and have the control to learn what I am doing. I know that in a small container like this I can add just small amounts of manure at a time, but this a learning process for me.

Any thoughts on this? We have a bunch of 5 gallon buckets, but they have no lids

Glenda Glenda

I always wanted to be somebody; I guess I should have been more specific.
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WormMainea
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A Protected Species Earthworm
Posts: 149
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 Re:On starting my red worms - 2006/05/12 12:41 I suppose it would work, but I've found that starting big bins is easier than small bins. I think that sometimes conditions get bad in part of the little bins and the worms have nowhere to go. I suppose this si what you are going for though-- ? WormMainea.com
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glowery
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A Protected Species Earthworm
Posts: 127
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 Re:On starting my red worms - 2006/05/12 13:58 It is just an experiment to give me a good idea of how the wigglers work. I will be very careful to not add so much that they will not have an escape. Probabaly no more than 50 or so worms in each container. I'll count them out by hand if I have to.

Glenda Glenda

I always wanted to be somebody; I guess I should have been more specific.
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gnosnhoj
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A Protected Species Earthworm
Posts: 544
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 Re:On starting my red worms - 2006/05/12 22:36 Glenda - were I you, I'd start adding your natives to whatever size bin you intend to maintain.
I agree with WormMainea that the smaller the bin, the bigger the chance of herd devastation. Conditions change faster in a smaller environment, and your natives are used to having the run of the pile too.
Think it'd be better for your new wormies to explore 'big digs', and better for you to monitor feeding rates based on who is where, how long it takes them to get there after you feed in a specific section of the bin and how long it takes them to chow down. I don't think you'd get an accurate processing schedule from the smaller population in those little tubs, and your feedstock probably won't break down at the same rate as it will in their ultimate bin.
I'd start with a handful of chow in a corner and not feed again (in an opposite corner) until your li'l fellas are all over the first.
BTW, I don't ever say "last question" anymore when it comes to my wormies...there's always more . Y'all have fun, whatever you're doing.
Gary
Hopkinsville, KY
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Boardwalk :: Forum List Six (6) New Worm Digest Forums 1) General Earthworm Discussion Forum

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