Methods and Technical Key Points for Earthworm Farming

    Earthworms can be said to be the best animal feed in the world. Of course, it has long been no secret that earthworms can be used to make traditional Chinese medicine, food and so on, but even earthworm castings can be used as feed to raise chickens, ducks, pigs, fish and so on. 
    Section 1 The Economic Significance of Earthworm Farming 
    Earthworms contain a great deal of protein; the protein content in dry matter can reach about 70%, and general analysis results can also yield 41.62-66% crude protein 
    According to data: when 23% earthworm powder is added to feed, the growth rate of pigs can increase by more than 74.2%; for chickens, egg production increases by 1725%, and the growth rate accelerates by 30100%; feeding fresh earthworms to soft-shelled turtles increases production by more than 30% to 60%; feeding fresh earthworms to rice field eels cannot be compared with any other feed, and increases growth by 40%; feeding earthworms to prawns, river crabs, eels and other famous and high-quality fish species all increases production by more than 30%, and feed costs drop by 4060%. 
    Section 2 The Living Habits and Ecological Conditions of Earthworms 
    This technique only focuses on introducing the living habits and ecological conditions of Daping No. 3. The normal growth, development and reproduction of earthworms require suitable ecological conditions. Different earthworms also have different required conditions. 
    1. Temperature 
    Generally speaking, the activity temperature of earthworms is within the range of 530°C; at 05°C they enter a dormant state; below 0°C they die; the most suitable temperature is around 2027°C, at which they can grow, develop and reproduce well. At 2830°C, they can maintain a certain amount of growth; above 32°C growth stops; below 10°C their activity becomes sluggish; above 40°C they die. The optimum temperature for earthworm cocoon hatching is 1827°C. It can be seen that the maximum lethal temperature of earthworms is lower than that of other invertebrates. 
    2. Humidity 
    Earthworms do not have special respiratory organs; they breathe through their skin, so the earthworm's body must remain moist. If an earthworm is placed in a dry environment, its skin will after a period of time be unable to remain moist, and therefore it cannot breathe normally; the earthworm will immediately undergo convulsions and soon die. The water content in the earthworm's body is extremely high, accounting for more than 75% of body weight. Therefore, preventing water loss is the key to earthworm survival. The humidity of the feed should be maintained at about 60%. 
    3. Acidity and alkalinity (PH value) 
    Daping No. 3 earthworms grow better within a PH value range of 68, and produce the most earthworm cocoons within a PH value range of 77.5. 
    4. Aeration 
    Earthworms breathe by means of oxygen from the atmosphere diffusing into the soil. The better the soil aeration, the more vigorous their metabolism. Not only do they produce more egg cocoons, but the maturation period is also shortened. 
    5. Food 
    Food is a long-term and key ecological factor affecting earthworms. Insufficient food will make competition among earthworms intense, leading to decreased fertility, the spread of pests and diseases, increased mortality, and the escape of some earthworms. The influence of food on earthworms is shown not only in the quantity of food, but also in the quality of food. Daping No. 3 earthworms feed on livestock manure. 
    The soilless farming referred to in this technique is in fact entirely earthworm food, replacing the part of the soil that is not needed anyway, and reducing a great deal of bedding-change management. The entire farming box is filled with food, so competition can be reduced and farming density can also be increased. 
    6. Natural enemies and diseases 
    The natural enemies of earthworms include two major categories, predatory and parasitic: predatory natural enemies include rodents, birds, poultry, snakes, frogs, ants, mantises, spiders, centipedes, etc.; parasitic natural enemies include: parasites, parasitic flies, mites, leeches, etc. 
    Section 3 Preparation and Feeding of Feed 
    1. Types of feed 
    Daping No. 3 earthworms mainly feed on cow dung, followed by pig manure. Any organic waste from livestock and poultry manure, brewing, sugar refining, food processing, papermaking and wood processing, such as distiller's grains, bagasse, sawdust, hemp scraps, waste paper pulp, edible mushroom residue, etc.; garbage and domestic organic waste can all be used as earthworm feed.