Silkworm Colony - colder climates

[DisturbedDave]

Thinking of harnessing the health benefits of feeding silkworms, but as most would know, buying them in frequently gets expensive.

I bought a dozen from LiveFoods to test them, and not surprisingly, they're a big hit.
Thinking of hanging onto a few and allowing them to breed, but here in Melbourne, with top temps of 12-14deg at the moment, It'll be an effort to keep them at their preferred 22-27deg

Has anyone bred them in colder climates? Am I better purchasing an incubator for once the eggs are laid? Possibly keep the colony in there too or a controlled climate?

[briansworms]

When l retire l will let you know how they go in a warmer climate. Save on the incubator and just move to Qld lol

[DisturbedDave]

Don't tempt me!

[Kimmy]

Thinking of harnessing the health benefits of feeding silkworms, but as most would know, buying them in frequently gets expensive.

I bought a dozen from LiveFoods to test them, and not surprisingly, they're a big hit.
Thinking of hanging onto a few and allowing them to breed, but here in Melbourne, with top temps of 12-14deg at the moment, It'll be an effort to keep them at their preferred 22-27deg

Has anyone bred them in colder climates? Am I better purchasing an incubator for once the eggs are laid? Possibly keep the colony in there too or a controlled climate?

Opie goes nuts for them and they are a good feeder. I buy mine, but did try to raise them. I still have eggs so if you want them you are welcome to them


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[dragonlover1]

Obviously they are a great choice as a food item. I have never tried to breed them as the time in the fridge was a bit of mucking around I didn't have time for. But if you can sort it out it is well worthwhile. I used to have a mulberry tree so food wasn't a problem when I bought them, I'm not sure about the fake food though

[Kimmy]

Obviously they are a great choice as a food item. I have never tried to breed them as the time in the fridge was a bit of mucking around I didn't have time for. But if you can sort it out it is well worthwhile. I used to have a mulberry tree so food wasn't a problem when I bought them, I'm not sure about the fake food though

I too have a mulberry tree but have used the chow as well. They grow well on the chow but much better on fresh leaves.

[Vins_Dragons]

Very hard to breed.
That’s why there so expensive. It’s like out of 200 eggs under 10 survive.
This is what has been explained to me by someone who tried to start breeding them and research he had done.


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[Rendalyn]

I buy mine from a 10 year old that breeds them to earn money each year for school camp. Had a go at it and didn't seem terribly difficult, I just need my mulberry tree to get bigger haha!

[dragonlover1]

just on mulberry trees, did you know there are 5 types of tree,plus 3 colours (black white and red) the white can be used to remove the stains of the others ! plus male and female,only the female produces fruit.
Unfortunately I had a weeping white male which while producing leaves for silkworms (and shade for my chickens) didn't do anything else .

[briansworms]

Rick you are full of useful information. No I didn't know any of that