Protein supplementation

[Boris The Beetle]

Hi all, how many of you supplement your flake soil with protein? What do you use and how do you use it? Do you just mix it in during fermentation?

I've also read about giving crushed dog/cat kibble to larvae but not sure what the best practices are. Do you just sprinkle it on top of the substrate? I imagine mixing it in would lead to molding.

 

[Ratmosphere]

Some people mix the protein powder in the substrate. Some vendors use to sell bags of protein powder.

For dog food, make a hole down to the larvae tunnel with a pencil. From here you drop it a small piece of dog food. A portion smaller than the grubs head. 

 

[Boris The Beetle]

Thanks @Ratmosphere

I'm thinking of adding some protein isolate (no flavourings) to one of my fermenting bags to see how it goes. I'm worried dropping a pellet into the mix = mold/mites. I also keep isopod cultures and will occasionally give them fish/dog food pellets. If i give too much that they can't consume, it ends up molding or will see an explosion of grain mites.

 

[Ratmosphere]

Would be interesting to see. Let us know your findings!

 

[Dynastes]

Thanks @Ratmosphere

I'm thinking of adding some protein isolate (no flavourings) to one of my fermenting bags to see how it goes. I'm worried dropping a pellet into the mix = mold/mites. I also keep isopod cultures and will occasionally give them fish/dog food pellets. If i give too much that they can't consume, it ends up molding or will see an explosion of grain mites.

I've tried whey and soy isolates with stags, rhinos, and flower beetles and at best they work as well as dog food, with flower beetles they don't seem to do anything.

 

[Boris The Beetle]

Well, my bags are FULL of fungus gnats and they're flying all over the house so I'm not going to be mixing protein into them any time soon  Thinking of pasteurizing the flake soil in big pot of near boiling water to kill the bugs. Maybe the fungus gnat larvae will provide enough protein haha

 

[Ratmosphere]

Ah man, sorry to hear. Fungus gnats are the absolute worst! Where did you get the soil if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Boris The Beetle]

Sorry for the late reply. I collected some decayed hardwood from a park close to home and I'm also making my own flake soil. That said, these winter temps aren't helping the flake soil... I may need to introduce a heater.