{"product_id":"live-mealworm-beetle-starter-pack","title":"Live Mealworm \u0026 Beetle Starter Pack","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eMealworm \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u0026amp; \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDarkling \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeetle \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStarter \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKit \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003efor \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRaising \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChicken \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeed |\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUSA \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOnly\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWant to raise mealworms at home as a supplemental protein source for your chickens? The Mealworm \u0026amp; Darkling Beetle Starter Kit gives you a head start with 1,000 live mealworms and 250 freshly hatched darkling beetles, shipped together in one box and packaged separately. It's a practical starting point for backyard chicken keepers, homesteaders, and small farms interested in raising their own mealworms for chicken feed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis live insect starter pack is designed to help you get started with mealworm raising at home. Use it with Hatching Time Mealworm Growing Pods to support your mealworm-raising setup and work toward a more self-managed source of supplemental feed for your flock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e1,000 Live Mealworms:\u003c\/strong\u003e Includes Tenebrio molitor mealworms averaging approximately 3\/4 inch long, giving you a substantial starting batch for your home mealworm-raising setup.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e250 Young Darkling Beetles:\u003c\/strong\u003e Includes freshly hatched beetles less than one week old to help establish your starter colony.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMealworms and Beetles Packaged Separately:\u003c\/strong\u003e Both insect groups are bagged separately and shipped in one box for organized handling on arrival.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e10% Extra Insects Included:\u003c\/strong\u003e Every order includes an additional 10% of mealworms and beetles.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSPS Priority Shipping with Hold for Pickup:\u003c\/strong\u003e Orders ship using USPS Priority Mail with Hold for Pickup, providing a specified pickup-based delivery arrangement for live insects.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeather-Conscious Packaging:\u003c\/strong\u003e Heat packs and protective wrapping are included according to weather forecasts to help protect the insects during colder shipping conditions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Raise Mealworms for Chickens?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrowing mealworms at home gives poultry keepers another option for sourcing supplemental feed rather than relying entirely on purchased treats or protein sources. For homesteaders and small farms, raising a mealworm colony can also become part of a more self-managed feeding routine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSupplemental Chicken Feed:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mealworms provide a natural insect-based feeding option to incorporate into your flock's routine.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA Home Mealworm-Raising Project:\u003c\/strong\u003e Start with live mealworms and young darkling beetles as the foundation of your setup.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUseful for Homesteads and Backyard Flocks:\u003c\/strong\u003e A practical option for poultry keepers interested in producing some of their own supplemental insect feed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a more organized setup, pair this starter kit with Hatching Time Mealworm Growing Pods. Check your growing setup's requirements before ordering to make sure you have the appropriate equipment and conditions for raising mealworms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Live mealworm and darkling beetle starter pack\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMealworm Species:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tenebrio molitor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMealworm Quantity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1,000 live mealworms, plus 10% extra\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAverage Mealworm Length:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 3\/4 inch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDarkling Beetle Quantity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 250 freshly hatched beetles, less than one week old, plus 10% extra\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePackaging:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mealworms and beetles bagged separately in one box\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShipping Carrier:\u003c\/strong\u003e USPS Priority Mail, Hold for Pickup\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShipping Area:\u003c\/strong\u003e United States only\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrder Cutoff:\u003c\/strong\u003e Orders placed by Sunday at 1 PM CST ship the next day, Monday\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMealworm Care and Growing Conditions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaintaining suitable temperature and humidity is important when raising mealworms at home. Use the following conditions as a guide for your growing setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIdeal Temperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20–28°C (68–80°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIdeal Humidity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 50–70%\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKeep Bedding Dry:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dry bedding helps reduce the risk of mold and dust mites.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMonitor Humidity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Check conditions regularly as you manage your mealworm colony.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCold Weather Shipping and Arrival Care\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCold temperatures can leave live insects dormant during shipping. Heat packs and protective wrapping are selected according to the weather forecast, but insects may still arrive with reduced activity during colder conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf your insects arrive dormant, follow these steps:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnpack the shipment and allow airflow around the containers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep the insects at room temperature, approximately 18–25°C (64–77°F).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDo not apply external heat.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGently spread the insects in their bedding.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAllow several hours for recovery.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 99% recovery rate is reported when the insects are handled correctly. Individual results may vary with shipping and handling conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKnow Before You Buy\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSA Delivery Only:\u003c\/strong\u003e This live insect starter pack is available for delivery within the United States only.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHold for Pickup:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shipping is arranged through USPS Priority Mail with Hold for Pickup.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMonday Shipping Schedule:\u003c\/strong\u003e Orders placed by Sunday at 1 PM CST ship on Monday.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Equipment:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mealworm Growing Pods are referenced as a compatible growing option, but the starter kit's listed contents are the live insects. Confirm your equipment needs before ordering.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Hatching Time","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67748799414526,"sku":"MWMW1","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0706\/3329\/2030\/files\/Mealworm_and_darkling_beetle_starter_kit_for_raising_live_mealworms_at_home.jpg?v=1792506983","url":"https:\/\/www.gonebroody.com\/ar\/products\/live-mealworm-beetle-starter-pack","provider":"Gone Broody","version":"1.0","type":"link"}