Larva ID

[kcult]

I was half ass attempting to company compost some of my quail poop. I had read I could put it in a bucket, pop some drain holes in it and go.

I couldn't tell you how long it's been brewing, but I just checked on it and it's full of some type of larva. They are all in it and even on the ground under the bucket.

Any ideers?

 

[beamernc]

Are they some type of fly maggots? Chickens would probably find them interesting.

 

[kcult]

Are they some type of fly maggots? Chickens would probably find them interesting.

I would like to think they are, but my last attempt at composting created roaches. I'm afeared these might be the same. I didn't catch the roaches at this stage, but at a later one.

I tried to limit this mixture to quail poop, some sand, coffee grounds, and what bits of quail food that those messy birds waste.

 

[ronn47]

Try to get a few in lid top and see if the quail will eat them, just 2 or 3.

 

[Bloodyhands]

I had some of those show up in some chicken feed that had gotten wet on the bottom a few weeks ago, not sure what they are but the chickens ate them up.
Tossed what was left of the wet food out...

 

[cubrock]

Roaches hatch out as nymphs, not larva. They are likely from a fly. Your birds will love them.

 

[MacEntyre]

Try mixing your composted quail poop with wood chips and ground leaf mulch.

 

[hp468]

Hickory

 

[kcult]

Now that I've had a few moments to do some internet sleuthing, looks like what I have is black soldier fly larvae in the bucket.

The internet says that between my bucket and the weather, conditions were perfect for this.

It also says they can be considered a source of protein, in lean times. I picked up a half cow yesterday, so I think I'll not be eating BSF larvae today. Although I might don a pair of gloves and collect some chicken and quail food.

The fly, and I have seen them around the shop.



The larvae, again.

 

[Schattenreiter]

Fish bait.

 

[kcult]

Fish bait.

Hmm. That's a thought.

I'm guessing I could freeze them.

 

[GymB]

Hmm. That's a thought.

I'm guessing I could freeze them.

Damp compost in a tupperware, place in the fridge. I think they’ll live and won’t start flying around...put a lid on the tupperware in case I‘m wrong either way.

 

[kcult]

Damp compost in a tupperware, place in the fridge. I think they’ll live and won’t start flying around...put a lid on the tupperware in case I‘m wrong either way.

Thanks for the suggestion!

I did that this afternoon and a coworker would like to try them out on the river this weekend.

I have plenty of quail poop and I'm almost looking forward to more larvae.

I have access to a decently stocked pond and am eager to try these guys out.

 

[Les White]

I picked up a half cow yesterday,

Where and what'd it cost?

 

[kcult]

Where and what'd it cost?

Spear T Cattle out of Marion, SC.

Currently $7/lb.