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		Earthworm Biology and Production
		Page 6 of 9	Pages: 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 8 . 9
		Fattening Earthworms Earthworms may be force-fattened so that their girth and weight double. A good method is to prepare several new beds with only 6 inches of bedding and soak until almost soggy wet. Harvest the regular beds, place the harvested worms in the fattening beds, and feed them straight mash or meal. If they are very active, which they should be within a day or two of transfer, feed them twice daily. The worms will be ready for harvesting and selling in 7 to 10 days. Harvesting Earthworm beds should be harvested on a regular basis to ensure maximum worm production and minimum disturbance of beds. Regular harvesting (usually every 30 days) thins out the population, allows more feed and area per remaining worm, and keeps bedding loose and porous so that the worms can move more easily to feed and breed. The harvesting method most commonly used by larger earthworm farms is known as "table harvesting" and it will work equally well for the average backyard grower. First obtain a table or board which can be placed next to or across the worm-bed frame. A plywood sheet covered with waterproof plastic will serve the purpose, or a smooth waterproof covering may be placed over the table. One or more containers for the harvested worms, and about 2 inches of pre-soaked peat moss for the bottom of each container, will also be needed. Use a pitchfork to carefully lift off the top 3 or 4 inches of bedding (which will contain most of the worms) and place onto the harvesting board. Harvesting should always be done in bright sunlight or in the light of a bright overhead bulb--the worms will burrow down nearer the bottom of the bedding to escape the light. Using either your hands or a small whisk broom, gently sweep off the top 2 inches of the bedding pile. Wait a few moments for the worms to burrow down again, and repeat the process. Eventually, when all the bedding has been swept off the pile, a solid mass of worms will remain. Grading and Counting Earthworms are sold by weight or by count, and there are two grades: bed-run (worms of all sizes) and bait-size (worms 2½ inches or longer when drawn up and with bodies at least 1/8 inch in diameter.) If worms are to be sold for bait or breeding stock, one will need to sort out the bait-size worms from the rest by hand. This is best done while harvesting. The smaller worms are immediately put back into the beds and the larger ones put in the containers. Packaging and Storing Earthworm growers use a wide variety of packaging methods and containers, but more and more successful growers are using containers especially designed for holding and shipping worms. Such containers are available from various suppliers, and can often be purchased from an earthworm wholesaling company or distributor. Containers range in size from half-pints (holding 50 bait-size worms) up to gallon cartons holding 1,000 bait-size or 1,500 to 2,000 bed-run earthworms. Containers should be made of plastic or wax-coated cardboard to retain moisture and resist eating by the worms. Small holes should be punched for air. Worms should always be stored in cool, well-shaded locations. Boxes should be securely tied or fastened with heavy shipping tape, and clearly marked on the outside: Live Earthworms. Handle with Care. Do Not Expose to Extreme Heat or Cold. more...

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