[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

She will!

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

David, they will go inside very soon with the top on – and they will definitely fight to make it their own private diner by driving off any unwanted birds. This morning a male cardinal thought he was going to join my blues and papa showed him differently. One time I did have a small female actually squeeze into my cage feeder – I happened to see this and immediately shooed her off.
Isn’t this fun watching their meanderings.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Nice shots, David, as usual. Is there a reason you do not put the worms into the cage feeder where other big birds cannot get in? I have had a cardinal this year actually squeeze into mine one time and try other times. I cannot afford to feed all those other birds. You could just leave the dish inside the feeder. Did this dish come with the feeder? – if so, it was meant to be used inside the cage, but whatever works for you is a good thing.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Nice – they are pretty good size for 8 days old.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Gang, the large quantity worms from actual places where they grow them, comes in a large white sack with newspapers for air, when ordered, not ready for refrigeration at all. Yes, this is not a pleasant thing but I can dump 10,000 in a large container (I actually use a bucket in my bathtub) and get them dislodged from the newspapers and then into my plastic containers in about 20 minutes. For this number I usually have four containers, depending on size of container. You really do not want to overload them in one or two containers – they will not survive. But this is the way I handle 10,000, and 5,000 is much more doable – I just like to get the large orders if I can and then feed them every 10 or 14 days.

P.S. strange that WBU cups did not have holes in their lids – this is definitely necessary. I still have some old 100 and 500 size cups from different “emergency” buys with holes in lids and use them to put about 2-3 days worth into fridge. Another nice picture, David!

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Wow, thanks David – you are a wealth of info. “Leg appendages” what on earth is that in a mealworm?

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Oh, Dana, so sorry about this – yes, you had some bad luck with the cold and them not hatching on time. I bet they, or another pair, will take the box soon.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Sure wish I knew exactly what those parents do when they “peck” with a mouthful of worms, or even just a few. I thought I read somewhere they do this to kill them for the young babies, but I may be all wet. Anybody know the answer?

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Judy, there are 2 vendors in Ohio – Grubco Mealworms and The Nature’s Way Mealworms, and they are close together in location and prices. I have used both for 12-13 years and both are reputable. All worms are fairly small, even the medium size. I don’t mind because the birds will drop them once in a while and not so much lost. A lot of the difference in purchasing is in your location, the closer the better. Also, if you belong to the NABS (North America Bluebird Society) you get a 5 or 15 percent discount from both places. Mama will also feed the babies, just give them a little time, usually takes a day or so. I believe there might be a shortage of worms right now, as I was only able to order 5,000 instead of my usual 10,000. ALSO, they do not usually begin feeding the babies worms until they are about 2 or 3 days old, especially in the spring when small insects are available. When they bring them to a tree, this is where they kill them or bite them in two or something, not sure exactly what, but this is quite common. You will see a “worm train”, with mama and papa taking turns to feed babies, very soon I suspect.

P.S. don’t forget about feeding your worms every week or two when you get a larger order.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

David, absolutely beautiful picture – thanks! Yes, papa is hooked and mama will probably get into the “worm train” quickly. My papa & mama bring the worms high up into a close tree and we got to see the fledgings good yesterday. They will bring them down (to the railing on our deck where the cage feeder is) in a few days, and that is real cool, also, to see them learning to eat on their own.
What FUN!

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

David, if you think feeding the mealworms work, there are several web sites that sell in large quantities – just Google “live mealworms” and you will probably come up with several companies. Don’t know about your area, but I get mine from a place in Ohio and get them in two days with regular Post Office shipping/costs. Glad your blues enjoy them.

By the way Judy, I sure do not count out feeding of worms, one by one. I have a certain small container I use to put the worms in to bring out to the feeder and I know how approximately how many it takes for the two parents, and them adjust the cup contents for extra. This morning I experimented with this and I was very close on the regular 10 per bird, or in my case now 70 worms, plus a little.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

David is right – takes a little time, but once they start they will not want to stop. Oh, Judy, PLEASE read instructions (if they come with the worms) when they arrive. You must let them eat (out of the refrigerator) for at least 24 yours after they arrive – need to put THIN slices of carrots or potatoes in the container on top of bedding (usually wheat bran) & worms. They are extremely hungry when they arrive, since the trip usually takes a few days. Containers must be slick (plastic or glass) so they cannot crawl out. After a good 24 hours or so, you remove any remainder of the carrots or potatoes and put the container into a fridge. You can find all this info on the Sialis.org website.

By the way, David, only 1,000 worms?? I usually order 10,000 (which lasts close to 3 months) but today they said they only can ship 5,000 next week. My parents are definitely interested in another nest, so I want to be prepared.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Judy, hope your other eggs hatched okay. Now for the mealworms –
It has been suggested on different sites like Sialis.org that the number of worms to feed is approximately 10 per bird, twice a day. Some people give unlimited amounts, which I truly believe is not good for the birds – they need to be able to learn to hunt for other insects. My parents usually want more than I give them (they will keep looking in the worm bowl) but then I watch them and they perch on a tree limb and hunt for food, then drop down and grab it up. Right now I am feeding quite a few worms because there are seven mouths to feed, including the parents. I find that early morning when I get up (around 6:30 or 7:00 am) is best for the 1st feeding, as they are usually waiting for me. And then around supper time 5 or 6 pm, I put out the 2nd feeding. Once in a while if we are not home overnight, they don’t forgot to come the next day. My blues usually eat what I put out each time in 5-6 minutes, maybe just a little more when they have to bring the babies food away from the feeder.

I believe where the calcium carbonate is needed is for those who give unlimited worms; however, I am sure it does no harm. I have never used it personally, but it is something to think about. Worms are not a cheap item – I just placed an order for 10,000 worms and got a call back and said they could only ship out 5,000 – don’t know exactly what the problem is. But the shipping costs are more expensive this way, as it just costs a little more (not double) for shipping 10,000 v.s. 5,000. Good luck.

From Sialis.org quote “How many to feed: Fawzi Emad recommends offering about 15 mealworms per bluebird per day. I’ve seen each blue eating about 3-10 per visit. NABS indicates that “because they should be used as a supplemental food, mealworms should only be offered once or twice a day unless poor weather conditions dictate more frequent feeding. A hundred or so worms offered morning and evening would be adequate for a pair with a box of nestlings.” Feeding smaller amounts twice a day is a good idea to ensure that bluebirds get some, and to prevent other species from “discovering” the feeder. One of the nice things about mealworms is that there is no waste left behind – no seeds or shells.”

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Tammy, remember the yuku site but don’t have a clue about this – what is stick trap residue?? Must be something I have never encountered or know about. In my opinion if a bird has any kind of sticky residue from something are using, it definitely should not be used. I am actually very nervous when I put axle grease on my pole to keep things from crawling up (especially ants) the pole – watch very carefully that no birds would get into this.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Tammy, I said the wrong thing – it is NOT a Gilbertson but a Gilwood, which we make ourselves. I have no desire to have a metal box (I believe Gilbertson is metal?)

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