Worm Digest - Re:Am I feeding them enough?

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1) General Earthworm Discussion Forum

Marilyn
User

A Fertile Cocoon

Posts: 2

Am I feeding them enough? - 2008/07/15 23:49 Hi,
I'm new. I got my worms in April and got them started in my Can o Worms bin. I read warnings in the literature to underfeed rather than overfeed. Overfeeding I guess can kill them? Maybe I don't feed them enough? I just throw in a few finely cut up veggies about twice a week (about a cup). I keep shredded newspaper on the top, and they eventually eat that. I also spray the surface with water now and then. I thought I would try to harvest the first layer, but I stopped feeding them about 5 days ago, since I read it would clear out the remaining tidbits of food before I tempt them up into the next layer.
It does seem as if there should be more worms? But maybe they are underneath. I dig around with my fingers, but I am afraid of hurting them. I started with 2000 worms in April. How much do you feed and how often?
Maybe I'm too stingy with the food.

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thewormguys
User

A Juvenile Earthworm

Posts: 45

Re:Am I feeding them enough? - 2008/07/16 08:18 To get a good feel as to how much to feed them try this.
Put in a cup of food, check it in two days if its gone then feed them a cup every two days. If it's still there then check it every day till it's gone. At first you may be feeding them a cup a week.
Well this method worked for me but I've only been doing it for 1.5 years...

Rob

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jasdip
User

A Hatchling Earthworm

Posts: 16

Re:Am I feeding them enough? - 2008/07/16 10:16 Make sure the food you're feeding is already decomposing. It will take several days for the food to break down in the bin if you put it in fresh.

Having 2 lb of worms, I would think they should be eating more than 1 cup per week.

Sherry Southwestern Ont.
Canada

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Marilyn
User

A Fertile Cocoon

Posts: 2

Re:Am I feeding them enough? - 2008/07/16 22:27 Thanks. I think maybe I was too worried about feeding them. So I gave them about a cup or cup and a half of very well diced veggies and fruit tonight, a good variety. Some was already in the throes of decomposition. I also sprayed them all over with water (maybe I should do that more often also). I also buried some of the food. I do believe they were struggling. They should be more numerous and more lively. Hmmm. Now I'm really worried. Could it be too warm for them? Our central air is set at 78. We hate spending more money on that.
Thanks everyone for weighing in. I don't want to lose these fellas.
Marilyn:

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gnosnhoj

User

A Protected Species Earthworm

Posts: 537

Re:Am I feeding them enough? - 2008/07/17 22:45 Temp oughta be fine.
How long does it take the herd to get through your chow intros?
What are you using for bedding?
Be careful with adding water; diced veggies & fruit will generate a lot as they break down. Y'all have fun, whatever you're doing.
Gary
Hopkinsville, KY

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