I still use multiple indoor bins for my vermicompost process, however, I now use a different approach in process. I now progress the compost from one bin to the next and raise the majority of my hatchlings in a seperate high maintenance breeder bin. I have found that young bedrun seem to compost quicker than the larger breeders and can handle bed turning more, so I now stock the bins according to age and size. Once a week or so, I move all bin contents progressivly one location.I also feed the bins differently, from all pasteurized scraps in the first one , coffee, tea and dried vegtable grounds in the middle sequence. The large bin at the end of the line is the finishing bin where I separate finished casting, coccoons and hatchlings, bed run and breeders. Coccoons and hatchlings go to the nursury bin, bedrun to the bin that most matches their size and I split the breeders between the nursury bin and my outside restock pit at the back of our garden. I think this assembly line approach should keep a nice steady production and maintain a higher nutrient content than just turning the bin contents and "letting them go about their business" for a month and a half.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), October 04, 2001

Answers

Jay, what are your plans for these critters? Sell as bait? Feed the chickens? Thanks for posting these updates as I am VERY interested in pursuing this sometime in the future as a means to feed my chickens quality protein at little cost.

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), October 04, 2001.

Ann,

I do this as a means of oganic fertilizer and potting soil production. When I need bait, I usually dig the larger old breeders out in the restock pit. Something I am considering as an experiment is to construct a series of copper probes with an "antenna grid connected to them to insert down into the bedding. Then mount a UV flouresent light over the bin. This way I can study any effects electromagnetic excitation from the flourescent frequancy may have on the bin production and the UV light should also help contain the worms beneath the surface and also help control red worm mites in the bedding.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), October 04, 2001.