For pure reds I found the best numbers to be 185 worms per sq ft and ENC’s at 100 per sq ft. I’ve done the same experiment several times and the numbers keep coming back the same, or close to it. I have not done the experiment with blues yet, but plan to run a trial this fall when I get my pure blue stock up a bit higher. I find mixed worm bins produce 1/4-1/3 less cocoons than a pure breeder bin so when I have done this I stock higher densities so they produce more. Those I only did once so it was very unscientific ;). All my others I’ve set up multiple bins, kept all food, moisture and bedding the same. I also ran each of the bin sets multiple times to make sure I didn’t miscount or mess up somewhere. This is a great way to figure out what works best for you. Experiments are always the best and a great way to learn! Word of mouth is wonderful, but there’s nothing like your own experience!
@@brookeonyx6271 oh wow! Thanks for this info! I was thinking the mixed bins probably had a likelihood of being a bit lower, but I REALLY don’t want to spend the time separating them lol. I purchased pure red wigglers so I could start fresh with those for breeder bins, but I’m also still running the mixed ones as well.
@@RosWigglers I understand not wanting to separate them, it’s a mess! It’s also hard to get them split 100%. It took a few years to get pure blues since I’d keep finding reds in the bins.
Great Video, Ro! I've had "Alexa" help me keep count of worms when I'm dividing things up by setting up reminders if that is something you could use. I've also heard of farmers using those hand held clicker devices that are sometimes used to count people. I don't know if either of those ideas would help you, but I know counting worms can be pretty tedious. Interesting observation about the "kids table!" lol
Great scientific process to hone your knowledge and process. All your efforts will be worth it. I think cocoons are shed when worms crawl against something abrasive in the bedding mixture, which is why it often happens right at the top against the blanket or bubble wrap. Thanks for the shout out. My name is Sandra, but two very important people call me Nana. ~ Sandra
I’ve had a worm shed a cocoon in my hand. It wasn’t rubbing on my hand, just pushing it off while crawling backwards. It was super cool! I have photos, but thought I was taking video. Was so bummed when I realized it wasn’t on video! It was neat to watch though and was so excited when it happened.
@@StrawberryRiverRedWigglers nice! And thank you! Are you by chance going to the worm farming conference? The one in Valdosta, GA isn’t happening this year, but I believe there will be one in AZ in January.
Hey Ro! I think you’re doing a great job! Figuring it out is just part of the deal 😍. I missed that you have a mix of red wigglers and blues. Since these are difference species they do not inter breed. This means a few things that you might want to think about. And may also give clues as to some of your keen worm observations. Since the two species don’t breed each other they may indeed by self sorting into areas to at least some degree. That would also explain the ‘clumping’ of cocoons. The clitellum on blue worms are more difficult to see as they’re flush to the body and closer to the head. Sometimes an adult blue worm can be mistaken for a juvenile red wiggler or a juvenile blue worm. If you’re picking out worms with easily visible clitellum you may be getting more red wigglers in your breeder bins proportionally. I’d say that’s a good thing as then you’ll also get more breeding and cocoons as more worms are compatible! You may want to cast a Quick Look at the tails as you’re picking out adult worms. The red wigglers will have a yellow tail. I don’t believe the Indian blues have that physical characteristic. Yes I do put 850 adult red wigglers in my breeder bins, which are about 2.25 square feet of surface area ❤. Keep up the great videos! I enjoyed watching this one in particular 💕🪱
@@RockinWorms thank you so much! I agree, I would like to have more red Wigglers in my breeder bins ideally. I do love a mix for casting production, and all of these worms were originally in CFTs from the person I bought them from. I do also separately keep pure red wiggler bins that I started with red wigglers from @Memes Worms to be sure I was keeping pure stock for those that want it. Ideally for the breeder bins over time I’ll be able to get them fully separated. Honestly, I wouldn’t even do breeder bins for the blues, because I don’t really have a need for that. That certainly does make sense about the clumping of cocoons! As always, I really appreciate the opportunity to learn from you!
I dont remember how to hyperlink a specific part of the video, I've noticed similar stratification of worms. Im trying to figure out if my bins are heating up in that particular area for whatever reason. Your sifter looks pretty rad. Can't seem to find a happy medium for moisture content in the bin.
For pure reds I found the best numbers to be 185 worms per sq ft and ENC’s at 100 per sq ft. I’ve done the same experiment several times and the numbers keep coming back the same, or close to it.
I have not done the experiment with blues yet, but plan to run a trial this fall when I get my pure blue stock up a bit higher.
I find mixed worm bins produce 1/4-1/3 less cocoons than a pure breeder bin so when I have done this I stock higher densities so they produce more. Those I only did once so it was very unscientific ;). All my others I’ve set up multiple bins, kept all food, moisture and bedding the same. I also ran each of the bin sets multiple times to make sure I didn’t miscount or mess up somewhere.
This is a great way to figure out what works best for you. Experiments are always the best and a great way to learn! Word of mouth is wonderful, but there’s nothing like your own experience!
@@brookeonyx6271 oh wow! Thanks for this info! I was thinking the mixed bins probably had a likelihood of being a bit lower, but I REALLY don’t want to spend the time separating them lol. I purchased pure red wigglers so I could start fresh with those for breeder bins, but I’m also still running the mixed ones as well.
@@RosWigglers I understand not wanting to separate them, it’s a mess! It’s also hard to get them split 100%. It took a few years to get pure blues since I’d keep finding reds in the bins.
Great Video, Ro! I've had "Alexa" help me keep count of worms when I'm dividing things up by setting up reminders if that is something you could use. I've also heard of farmers using those hand held clicker devices that are sometimes used to count people. I don't know if either of those ideas would help you, but I know counting worms can be pretty tedious. Interesting observation about the "kids table!" lol
@@DirtSurfinWorms great ideas! Thank you!
Interesting
Great scientific process to hone your knowledge and process. All your efforts will be worth it. I think cocoons are shed when worms crawl against something abrasive in the bedding mixture, which is why it often happens right at the top against the blanket or bubble wrap. Thanks for the shout out. My name is Sandra, but two very important people call me Nana.
~ Sandra
@@NanasWorms thank you Sandra!
I’ve had a worm shed a cocoon in my hand. It wasn’t rubbing on my hand, just pushing it off while crawling backwards. It was super cool! I have photos, but thought I was taking video. Was so bummed when I realized it wasn’t on video! It was neat to watch though and was so excited when it happened.
That would be amazing.
~ Sandra
St Lewis mo, hey your just a good 3 or 4 hours from here in North Ar. Great content, keep it up
@@StrawberryRiverRedWigglers nice! And thank you! Are you by chance going to the worm farming conference? The one in Valdosta, GA isn’t happening this year, but I believe there will be one in AZ in January.
@@RosWigglers The conference sounds fun but I'm just so covered up I can't justify going lol I'm be worried the whole time 🤣🤣🤣
Great update video 🇳🇿🪱
@@dnawormcastings thank you!
Hey Ro! I think you’re doing a great job! Figuring it out is just part of the deal 😍.
I missed that you have a mix of red wigglers and blues. Since these are difference species they do not inter breed. This means a few things that you might want to think about. And may also give clues as to some of your keen worm observations.
Since the two species don’t breed each other they may indeed by self sorting into areas to at least some degree. That would also explain the ‘clumping’ of cocoons.
The clitellum on blue worms are more difficult to see as they’re flush to the body and closer to the head. Sometimes an adult blue worm can be mistaken for a juvenile red wiggler or a juvenile blue worm. If you’re picking out worms with easily visible clitellum you may be getting more red wigglers in your breeder bins proportionally. I’d say that’s a good thing as then you’ll also get more breeding and cocoons as more worms are compatible!
You may want to cast a Quick Look at the tails as you’re picking out adult worms. The red wigglers will have a yellow tail. I don’t believe the Indian blues have that physical characteristic.
Yes I do put 850 adult red wigglers in my breeder bins, which are about 2.25 square feet of surface area ❤.
Keep up the great videos! I enjoyed watching this one in particular 💕🪱
@@RockinWorms thank you so much! I agree, I would like to have more red Wigglers in my breeder bins ideally. I do love a mix for casting production, and all of these worms were originally in CFTs from the person I bought them from. I do also separately keep pure red wiggler bins that I started with red wigglers from @Memes Worms to be sure I was keeping pure stock for those that want it. Ideally for the breeder bins over time I’ll be able to get them fully separated. Honestly, I wouldn’t even do breeder bins for the blues, because I don’t really have a need for that. That certainly does make sense about the clumping of cocoons! As always, I really appreciate the opportunity to learn from you!
This is really interesting!
I dont remember how to hyperlink a specific part of the video, I've noticed similar stratification of worms. Im trying to figure out if my bins are heating up in that particular area for whatever reason. Your sifter looks pretty rad. Can't seem to find a happy medium for moisture content in the bin.
Contact info pls?
@@Imbabarao info@roswigglers.com
❤