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Boardwalk :: Forum List Six (6) New Worm Digest Forums 1) General Earthworm Discussion Forum
Paratrooper
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A Mature Breeder Earthworm
Posts: 77
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 A slight set-back - 2008/05/30 23:31 Well , I got a bit ahead of myself and it looks like it will cost me a generation of worms . I had the bright idea of mixing coffee grounds , washed goat manure and shredded newspaper in a plastic bin . Long story short it was way tooooo wet and caused a stampede . I realized it and tried to salvage what I could . I had a bunch of shredded paper just sitting so I split my soggy deal between 2 bins (which BTW are about 22"X18"X5"deep) and addes a slew of shredded newspaper to both . It seemed to stop the problem BUT I feel I lost cocoons as well as many baby worms . At this point I see NO small worms and with all the manure seeing cocoons is kinda hard .
As it goes now there are many worms fixin' to pop a cocoon so I think they are back to normal . Except for the fact that they NEVER come to the top . The entire bin is nice and moist but it looks like they want to stay down in the manure and avoid eating anything else . I tried some wet and fresh apple slices which went intouched . When I disturb them I find many worms , many of which are feeding in little clumps of newspaper . I don't know if they are eating that or the manure that is interspursed throughout the bin . For the time being I am leaving well enough alone since I see many "pregnant" worms and am sure that births will follow . I have 3 ten gallon bins with air holes and all ready for the shredded paper and some manure (not near as wet as the last batch) . If I can figure out when I have over 3 pounds of worms I will put a pound in each bin and leave the present bins alone as nurseries .I need to find the ideal situation for them to thrive on shredded newspaper , coffee grounds and manure . This is not only cheaper but frees me from checking in on them as far as "have they eaten all I gave them". Any thoughts are welcome AS WELL as a good solid and proven method of feeding them horse manure to which I also have access to in great abundance . I need specific instructions from fresh on the ground to being fed to my little friends . I am halfway thinking of worms as an income down the road since I seem to be the only guy in this area and have all that manure for free . The Colorado River is 53 miles away (fishing) and there seems to many CA transplants coming to this area that just NEED to get interested in castings .Talk to me people . Tom
Kingman Arizona
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Wormbinning Mama
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A Juvenile Earthworm
Posts: 41
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 Re:A slight set-back - 2008/06/03 12:36 How do you identify a pregnant worm? Or are you talking about worms engaged in pregnant inducing activities?
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Paratrooper
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A Mature Breeder Earthworm
Posts: 77
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 Re:A slight set-back - 2008/06/05 00:11 Wormbinning Mama wrote:
How do you identify a pregnant worm? Or are you talking about worms engaged in pregnant inducing activities?

They are fixin' to shed cocoons . I am in the process of changing over to my 10 gallon bins and so far have about 2 pounds evenly distributed with about another 1/2 pound of worms still to be harvested . Once the moisture is evened out the worms are not eating anything else beside the manure . I'll know more tomorrow when I'm finished filling my bins . Tom
Kingman Arizona
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Wormbinning Mama
User

A Juvenile Earthworm
Posts: 41
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 Re:A slight set-back - 2008/06/05 21:06 ok, i'm probably going to sound dumb here but....

I've seen worms getting it on together, and I've seen tons of cocoons all over, and I know a mature worm when I see it, but I've never seen one fixin' to shed cocoons. What does that look like? Would it be obvious if I was looking for it?

(I learned the phrase "fixin' to" later in life when I moved south, and then worked hard to shed that from my vocab (for self preservation) after coming back north. And now my hands just typed it out as if it were still sitting there in my brain just waiting to escape after all these years. I can't believe it. I'm holding you responsible.)

I'm hoping someone answers your manure question as I think I have a convenient source nearby.
WbM
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Swimmus
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A Mature Breeder Earthworm
Posts: 85
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 Re:A slight set-back - 2008/06/06 00:11 As the worms mate and the fluids are doused on the bodies, they slide apart and the fluids role down their body, the fluids roll into a gelatinous round object that hardens on the outside to form a cocoon.

I have actually filmed it but have not dumped into a web format yet for all to see. I'll post it here when I do.


Wormbinning Mama wrote:
ok, i'm probably going to sound dumb here but....

I've seen worms getting it on together, and I've seen tons of cocoons all over, and I know a mature worm when I see it, but I've never seen one fixin' to shed cocoons. What does that look like? Would it be obvious if I was looking for it?

(I learned the phrase "fixin' to" later in life when I moved south, and then worked hard to shed that from my vocab (for self preservation) after coming back north. And now my hands just typed it out as if it were still sitting there in my brain just waiting to escape after all these years. I can't believe it. I'm holding you responsible.)

I'm hoping someone answers your manure question as I think I have a convenient source nearby.
WbM www.wormcrusader.com
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Paratrooper
User

A Mature Breeder Earthworm
Posts: 77
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 Re:A slight set-back - 2008/06/06 00:18 There will be an oversized ring around the neck (as if they have one) which contains several little babies . As the cocoon gets bigger they become much more noticable . As for catching them in "La Flagrante" or "Coitus Interuptus" I have never paid that much attention . However there is a short one sylable word often substituted for the act of procreation which I swear I've seen worms mouthing when I disturb their eating . I have finished my bin changes and now have about 2 1/4 pounds up from one pound (2 months ago) minus a sure loss to overwatering . I'd love to stay and chat but it's time for ice cream . It's good to be retired . It's kinda like being 2 years old again . You sleep when you want and only eat what you like . Tom
Kingman Arizona
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Boardwalk :: Forum List Six (6) New Worm Digest Forums 1) General Earthworm Discussion Forum

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