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Boardwalk :: Forum List Six (6) New Worm Digest Forums 1) General Earthworm Discussion Forum
nellybell
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A Fertile Cocoon
Posts: 6
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 Container problem or something else? - 2008/05/08 07:31 We've been selling Efs to bait shops and convenience stores for a few years. We package 50 worms per container with peat moss that is fairly dry. We used to use a 12 oz. container, but lost our supplier. So we have switched to the blue bait containers. We are now putting them in an 8 oz. container. The problem is that now they are starting to die off after appox. a week and a half after getting to the bait shops. The ones we've sold as compost worms seem to be doing fine (from those we've heard from anyway). The only thing we've changed in feed, is that we have added silage. We get it from farmer that we, also, get cow manure from. The worms seem to love it.
We started using the 8 oz. container because we use those for our leaf worms and encs. We were trying to save a little money as the blue containers cost more than the ones we were getting . We have ordered some 12 oz. containers to try, but I thought I would ask here to see what you guys thought. Any comments or questions would be greatly appreciated.
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jlance
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A Protected Species Earthworm
Posts: 100
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 Re:Container problem or something else? - 2008/05/08 09:22 silage has ammonia in it if feeding in container it could be part of the problem.it also has a lot of acids add lime and partialy composting the silage before feeding would stop it from heating up and get rid of the ammonia and acids. heal the earth with worm farming.
John Lance Indain Valley,virginia
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jlance
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A Protected Species Earthworm
Posts: 100
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 Re:Container problem or something else? - 2008/05/08 09:23 silage has ammonia in it if feeding in container it could be part of the problem.it also has a lot of acids add lime and partialy composting the silage before feeding would stop it from heating up and get rid of the ammonia and acids. heal the earth with worm farming.
John Lance Indain Valley,virginia
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Kyle
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A Mature Breeder Earthworm
Posts: 92
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 Re:Container problem or something else? - 2008/05/09 09:41 Go back to peat only. See if that helps.
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T Worm Farm
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A Fertile Cocoon
Posts: 5
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 Re:Container problem or something else? - 2008/05/10 08:01 You said you are putting 50 worms in a 8 oz. cup. That might be to many worms? We have 30 in a cup but they are kept refridgerated at 40 degrees. It helps slow them down a bit i think.
When you open a cup does it smell sour? You might be over feeding them. Hope it works out. TWF T Worm Farms
Doug Johnsen
Wausau,Wi
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nellybell
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A Fertile Cocoon
Posts: 6
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 Re:Container problem or something else? - 2008/05/10 08:35 Thanks for all the information. We knew silage had ammonia but didn't realize it was acidic as well. Where we get it from has a massive pile of it, and we've been getting it from the older side, thinking some of the ammonia has been washed out. We got our 12 oz. cups, and I've put some worms in them to test out. Earlier this week I set up some test containers with the 8 oz., the containers in the warmer temp are starting to smell a little sour. The cooler ones seem to be alright so far. I'm starting to think we have multiple issues. Feed, container size and temp.
Again, thanks for all the help.
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Boardwalk :: Forum List Six (6) New Worm Digest Forums 1) General Earthworm Discussion Forum

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