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Boardwalk :: Forum List Six (6) New Worm Digest Forums 1) General Earthworm Discussion Forum
Kyle
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A Protected Species Earthworm
Posts: 121
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 feedstock for casting production?? - 2009/04/26 14:05 What are the best feed stocks for casting production.

I want to stay away from manures. I will be using encs only. I also will be using peat moss as a base.

I have a steady supply of coffee grounds. Then I was thinking about chicken feed and rabbit feed.

I have been trying to get some spent brewers grain. To no avail. dang pig farmers are buyiong it all.

I also am experemiting with growing kentucky bluegrass indoors under lights. So it is controlled. Also duckweed in a aquarium.

I live up north. I am looking down the road. I want a year round supply that is replenished.

Thanks in advance for all your opinions and replies.

Kyle
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ArkieGold
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A Juvenile Earthworm
Posts: 42
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 Re:feedstock for casting production?? - 2009/04/26 22:31 In my opinion belay the peat and go with pure shredded cardboard with weekly supplement of your duckweed if you can keep it going. Good protien source but not much is needed. Cardboard is one of the best if not the only bedding source that doubles as a nutritious food source with the cellulose fiber and glue, be it vegetable or animal. It is available all the year for free at grocery and dollar stores. Just need a way to shred it. I'm confident anybody with years of experience would probably tell you the same thing. Maybe not. You really don't need all the other stuff and the worms will breed heavily in it with no ammendments.

Oh you asked for casting production...sorry. I would still go with cardboard. It produces one of if not the finest friable castings you will ever see!

Post edited by: ChucksWorms, at: 2009/04/26 22:33 Arkie's Vermiculture
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Kyle
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A Protected Species Earthworm
Posts: 121
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 Re:feedstock for casting production?? - 2009/04/26 23:18 Corragated in our area is valuable. Stores get a good price from recyclers. Most compact into bales. Also corragated can be contaminated.

I found some inexpensive feed stocks at a local farm supply store.

50 pound bag of alfalfa nuggets for like 11 dollars.
40 pound bag of rabbit pellets for 7.49.

Im all set. Guess when you put your mind to it you come up with the answers.

Kyle.

p.s. Thanks Chuck.

Post edited by: Kyle, at: 2009/04/26 23:19
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vermiman
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A Protected Species Earthworm
Posts: 102
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 Re:feedstock for casting production?? - 2009/04/28 15:41 Do you wet the rabbit pellets when feeding? It\'s Black Gold!! It\'s Squirmy Tea!!

John 3:16
Acts 2:21
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Kyle
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A Protected Species Earthworm
Posts: 121
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 Re:feedstock for casting production?? - 2009/05/06 20:39 Yes I wet evrything first. Make a nice soup. I figure this keeps my moisture balance correct.

On another forum A individual uses cat litter to balance moisture and provide grit.

A cheap alternative.

Any comments or anyone use it?
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T Worm Farm
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A Juvenile Earthworm
Posts: 32
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 Re:feedstock for casting production?? - 2009/05/06 20:52 When I mix bedding I throw in a handful of playsand the real fine sand not silica for grit. It cost almost nothing to buy and works well.
For a feed you can buy worm chow at any feed store just ask for it.

Post edited by: T Worm Farm, at: 2009/05/06 20:54 T Worm Farms
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Larry C
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A Mature Breeder Earthworm
Posts: 96
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 Re:feedstock for casting production?? - 2009/05/07 12:28 On the subject of adding sand for grit, I have never added any sand to my beds which are made up of 100% spahgnum peat moss. These are for red worms. How much sand should be added? I don't want it interfere with harvesting castings or lowering the quality. My beds are 3'x 8'x 12" deep.

Larry

Post edited by: Larry C, at: 2009/05/07 12:29
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T Worm Farm
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A Juvenile Earthworm
Posts: 32
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 Re:feedstock for casting production?? - 2009/05/07 17:42 Larry, My bedding 100% synthetic so I only throw sand in for the grit. I couldn't guess how much grit is in peat, but I don't think a handful here or there in with the feed would mess with your castings or even be noticable. Doug T Worm Farms
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mikel
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A Juvenile Earthworm
Posts: 74
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 Re:feedstock for casting production?? - 2009/05/07 23:12 I have used the sand before and have since stopped using it. I haven't seen any differences from using the sand and not using the sand. I read somewhere( don't recall where) that using a handful of castings would have the same effect as the sand, for the grit. I also use mainly straight peat moss.
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Kyle
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A Protected Species Earthworm
Posts: 121
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 Re:feedstock for casting production?? - 2009/05/08 17:30 Do you all feed them worm chow?? What do you feed them? Im using alfalfa nuggets rabbit food and dried grass that i grow under controlled conditions.

Also gonna raise duck weed and algae.

Kyle
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T Worm Farm
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A Juvenile Earthworm
Posts: 32
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 Re:feedstock for casting production?? - 2009/05/08 21:27 I feed with Worm Chow and bedding mixed in my mixer.

But I might get some mink manure, anyone try it before?
 T Worm Farms
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wellsworms
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A Protected Species Earthworm
Posts: 624
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 mink - 2009/05/09 08:15 what are the mink fed? I always thought they were meat eaters. if so i don't think the scat would be good to feed the worms . just a personal preference i guess

Post edited by: wellsworms, at: 2009/05/09 08:33 FEED IT TO THE WORMS
WELLS,vermont
jerry walker 2008
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T Worm Farm
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A Juvenile Earthworm
Posts: 32
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 Re:mink - 2009/05/09 20:35 I'm not sure but you can bet I'll ask. What would it hurt if they were carnivores? Is it China Or Japan that uses worms in their human waste treatment? T Worm Farms
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Larry C
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A Mature Breeder Earthworm
Posts: 96
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 Re:feedstock for casting production?? - 2009/05/09 23:46 Kyle wrote:
Do you all feed them worm chow?? What do you feed them? Im using alfalfa nuggets rabbit food and dried grass that i grow under controlled conditions.

Also gonna raise duck weed and algae.

Kyle

My reds are fed rabbit manure. very little else. That's the main food they got from the seller, so I continued with the same. If I deplete my sources, then it's probably gonna be cow manure.

Larry
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wellsworms
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A Protected Species Earthworm
Posts: 624
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 Re:mink - 2009/05/10 06:57 i don't mind handling horse manure it i's mostly hay and grain but the mink scat it to much like human poop to be of my liking just me i guess FEED IT TO THE WORMS
WELLS,vermont
jerry walker 2008
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Kyle
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A Protected Species Earthworm
Posts: 121
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 Re:mink - 2009/05/10 09:54 My long term plans are to start a HERB BUSINESS.

Growing herbs in containers. Then selling these plants live.

Thats the main reason I am staying away from manure. I dont want to take a chance that some residue would contaminate there fresh herbs.

I am a big believer in composting manure.

kyle
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Boardwalk :: Forum List Six (6) New Worm Digest Forums 1) General Earthworm Discussion Forum

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