Grains to red wigglers?

[fish_4_all]

I have tried the grain mixture for red wigglers and I have not had any luck at all. I put it on top in a thin sheet and the worms did not touch it. I would love to be bale to feed them grain once in a while to fatten them up and make them larger for fishing for panfish and trout.

Is there a trick to getting them to eat the grain mixture? I did get them to eat a half slice of bread but only after I buried it. Burying the grain mixture made for a nasty odor rather quicly. Even when I put the grain on the top it fermented rather quickly, sometimes in less than 24 hours.

[c17trainer]

I have been raising worms (3 different types) for a year now and they are all voracious eaters. I feed them the worm chow but I also make my own mixture of oats, corn meal and laying mash. My worms need to be fed a 1/3 cup every day... and boy are they nice and fat. I too use them for fishing and they are perfect for trout and catfish. Once in a great while I will give each bin some frozen/thawed greens which they devour as well. Good luck!
Irene

[fish_4_all]

How do you feed them the grains? Sprinkle it evenly over all the bedding? Mix it and put it in like a line for them to eat? I don't use worm chow, I made the mix of corn meal, oats and egg shells, I will have to grind some egg layer mash and give them some of that also. Do you wet it after sprinkling it on?

I have had a little success in the last couple days as they are finally eating it before it sours. I think my problem was too thick and not spread out enough.

[c17trainer]

How do you feed them the grains? Sprinkle it evenly over all the bedding? Mix it and put it in like a line for them to eat? I don't use worm chow, I made the mix of corn meal, oats and egg shells, I will have to grind some egg layer mash and give them some of that also. Do you wet it after sprinkling it on?

I have had a little success in the last couple days as they are finally eating it before it sours. I think my problem was too thick and not spread out enough.

I spray the bedding first then I sprinkle a few rows, not too thick, in one area of the bin so that if they want to get away from the food they can just move to another area of the bin. I alternate daily on where I sprinkle their food then I again sprinkle the food with water. I give them a couple of rows of egg shells every other week. I have learned all this from "the worm expert" and I am having great success. I grind my egg shells, laying mash and oats in a coffee been grinder, it works great.

[fish_4_all]

They are finally eating grain on a regular basis. I simply didn't put any scraps in and they eventually began eating it. I have noticed they are alot fatter but I have also noticed that a lot of them are trying to escape compared to before. Might be overcrowding or might be something new. I have tested the ph and it is neutral and it is wet enough but not too wet. Might be wet sides of the bin from spraying to wet the bedding before sprinkling the feed on top.

[The Worm Expert]

fish_4_all

If feeding surface grains only, sometime the bedding can become to damp when you sprinkle the bedding each time before applying. If the top of the bedding material is already damp, simply apply the grain without sprinkling with water prior.

Also be sure you do not mix any of the uneaten grains into the bedding when stirring around in there as it will sour the bin causing worms to try and escape as well as die in the bin.

Bruce

[Barry]

I have just started composting with ala. jumpers and I had some cardboard I wanted to compost. I decided to soak it in water to soften it up before adding to my box. I soaked it over night and the card board came apart. The corrugated part in the middle was very soft so I decided to use it first. I tore it up sone and drained off the water. I placed it about half way down in the container. The next day the jumpers were all over it. In a couple of days it was gone. They loved it. I will take the outside cardboard and ust it when I start a new bed. I have alsp been putting slices of raw potatoes all around my bin mostly for moisture. They seem to like those also. Good luck everyone. And to the dads, Happy Fathers Day.

[The Worm Expert]

Barry

Thanks for the update. I have found while playing around with the Alabama Jumpers that they will eat other fruits and vegetables much of the same diet as the red wigglers. I would not just feed them potatoes but mix some other veggies or fruits in there too! I am one for everything in moderation

Bruce

P.S. - We now have Alabama Jumpers grown out to size and have them available on a limited basis until we grow more out.

[Barry]

Hello friends. Well I got all my ala jumpers transfered to my new 4x8 worm box. They are doing well. I had them in 3 large containers for about two months. My daughter, Lisa Nicole and I have started sifting out the casting and it is looking great. We are getting plenty and have only sifted about 1/4 of our compost. Thanks so much for your help. Waiting on wednesday so I can order some Africans and European. Have a great day.

[jcalex]

Bruce,
Is mixing the Grain recipe with "Moo Nure" as good as mixing it with Peat Moss,or,will it work at all.I`m plan on using the Grain Recipe with Red Wigglers...Jerry