Worm Digest - Re:Bob sold me pregnant worms

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Bev Warden
User

A Hatchling Earthworm

Posts: 24

Bob sold me pregnant worms - 2006/03/13 12:34

OK, it has been almost 2 months since I started my COW. I haven't had any problems at all.

I feel my COW really needs to be harvested, though. It seems as if Bob has sold me all pregnant worms. There are so many babies, I can't harvest the bin.

When I tried sifting the layers, I found hundreds of tiny red worms as small as a pencil mark. In fact, I didn't realize they were worms until they moved.

What to do...........

I ordered a case of coir before finding all these little babies. All 3 layers of my bin are full of worms. I started with 4 pounds (I think).

I only fed them Bob's worm food and use shredded news paper and shredded junk mail. They are very active and when I try to pick them up, some of them actually jump out of my hand. I sense that they are extremely happy worms.

My problem is how to harvest them without losing all the tiny babies.

I worry about them not getting enough oxygen, as all 3 layers are full. I had to add bedding (coir) to the top 2 layers because there were so many worms in them.

Also, every day or so, I have to scoop the BIG worms out of the bottom of the COW. They seem to like it there. I leave the lid off of the COW during the day and leave the drain open all the time.

Any suggestions??

Thank you all so much for allowing me to have the wonderful information found on this site, so I can enjoy my new hobby!

Bev

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Worm Police

User

A Mature Breeder Earthworm

Posts: 96

Re:Bob sold me pregnant worms - 2006/03/13 17:39 Hi Bev,
Go back to General Earthworm Discussion and read the helpful posts made by Red Hen, in the topic Separating ENC's From bedding. Orginal post made by Tman, it was posted last week.
Connie

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redhen

User

A Protected Species Earthworm

Posts: 684

Re:Bob sold me pregnant worms - 2006/03/13 21:57 Oh,Bob's good for that..You buy a certain amount of worms and you end up with all the extra mouths to feed

I am unclear how after only 2 months you have 3 tiers full in your COW.
Please tell us how you set up the COW, and what feedstock you ae using. (I do not know what "Bob's worm food" is.) Susan Quinby-Honer
redhen@nc.rr.com
Starve the Landfill...Feed the Earth.

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Bev Warden
User

A Hatchling Earthworm

Posts: 24

Re:Bob sold me pregnant worms - 2006/03/16 10:08 Thank you Ladies for your responses.

I am not sure what Bob's worm food is. He has it ground at the Feed Mill.

It is probably the recipe that he has on his web site.

I used your advice, Susan, about not putting in the cardboard in the bottom layer of the cow. Other than that, I followed the directions that came with the COW.

I am thinking that because I went to Bob's wonderful place to pick up the worms, and they were in their own bedding, they were not traumatized by shipping them.

My layers got so full that when I stacked them, they were smashing the layer underneath, so I just layed them all flat on the floor on cardboard. I found that the air holes in the legs were getting stopped up so I am not collecting the worm tea. I keep washing the bottom out to keep the air holes open.
I am going to drill holes in pvc pipe and in the layers of the COW to get more air in them.

I have a problem with condensation in the COW, so I kept paper in the bottom and remove the worms and the paper daily.

Yesterday I divided each layer of the COW into a large plastic storage container that I kept under the bed. It is on wheels and seems to be an ideal size as it is not too deep. About 5 1/2" by 3 1/2'. I will drill holes and place screen wire in it today. Right now, it is just covered with damp paper. I have a low light on in the room where the worms are kept. I don't use any lids anymore, because of the condensation.

I am only feeding one end of the plastic under the bed container so I can harvest the castings.
There are many yellow cocoons that look like flower bulbs in the COW.

OK, husband, Dennis, just came in and interrupted my train of thought, so I will continue later.

Bev

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Bob Ingram

Visitor

A Protected Species Earthworm

Posts: 156

Re:Bob sold me pregnant worms - 2006/03/17 04:51 Good job, Bev! Yes, the feed mix recipe is listed under Worm Tips N Tricks on our site. Keep up the good work! Seeya, Bob www.trinity-ranch.com

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Bev Warden
User

A Hatchling Earthworm

Posts: 24

Re:Bob sold me pregnant worms - 2006/03/18 11:13 I had my first casualties yesterday. Lost 4 wormies. I covered a test batch of worms with a cheap flannel lined plastic table cloth. The wormies went up into the flannel and got caught. They dehydrated.

I didn't know how attached to them I could get.

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Worm Police

User

A Mature Breeder Earthworm

Posts: 96

Re:Bob sold me pregnant worms - 2006/03/18 15:17 I use newspaper for covers, and lots of it in the worm bins. All my bins are covered with a thick layer of damp newspaper lids. When they start to break down, I tear them and work them into the bedding, and add more.
Worms like to explore in get into trouble. I am sorry you lost some.
Connie

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