Hey Lazy LAbs, Im just a few minutes from the guy that makes those pods, nice guy! To help kick start your pod in Spring you need to know the over Wintering stage of the black soldier fly which is typically the larva stage (in central NC), so towards the end of Summer be sure to have places near the pod( rocks, logs, etc that they can go to and safely stay all Winter , then they will emerge early next Spring. Im sure this is already happening , but, its just helps to quickly restart next year since more will survive. Also, Anyone worried about critters getting inside can usually add a fence around the pod to deter. Hope this helps!
Thanks for leaving this comment. That will help me out in the future, if I ever get the homesteading thing started. (Basically, theres a 90% chance i'da never found this information out, and a 10% chance i'da gone through major loss of production trying to figure it out.)
Same here in Texas they went dormant from November until March. I let some chicken feed soak for a day or two and then dumped it into the bin and the BSF laid their eggs in it. We also had some fish with freezer burn and dropped in there once I saw the larvae. My chickens go crazy for live BSFL and I do believe they produce more eggs when they have a good supply of BSFL.
Your absolutely correct I found this out by accident with my Quail hutches I experience ZERO ODORS ZERO HOUSE FLIES now I want the setup you have this year
I just watched a video about BSF rearing. If you have a greenhouse you may want to move your setup into your greenhouse during the cooler months to keep the volume up during cooler temperatures
Great stuff! It’s our first summer with 5 hens in our backyard urban home in Pittsburgh. Zone 6 so almost the same as where you are. I think I’m gonna do what your doing. I have built a coup and run area beside our small garden. We have composted for years now. I have watched “living web farms” that did a video on this. Thanks for the simplicity and helpful tips. 🤙
Good explanation on how the 'conversion rate' on the BSFL can make a more nutrient dense food than just the food by itself. Just that explanation alone sold the idea, (although, I knew subconsciously that was what was happening, its just you put it out there with good words ;) )
Thanks much! I appreciate your time and information!! I'm hoping that we have these bfl where we live - the dried ones are soooo $$$$$$!!!!!! Take care & God bless!!
I bought the plans from NWW and we build it from 5/8 pressure treated plywood. Total cost with painting the exterior was over 200.00. I did not mind spending the money, knowing that it would last for several years. I don’t know why people fault other people for simple judgments like that.
I learned that BSF needs temp above 50degrees to survive. In the north a small green house will be enough. In extreme temps set it up like a brooder. It's all good.
Buying the container for the black fly larvae makes sense. A roof to keep rain and birds out makes sense too. In south TX I always see lizards near our trash bin, eating flies around the trash barrels. With compost piles the smell and rodents is most folks concerns. Where you have it makes sense.
I just watched the 1st BSFL video and 5 minutes later get to view the 2 year follow-up:D. It will be interesting to see the BSFL eating the chicken scraps after butchering. Do you use the frass (poop) on your plants, veges or lawns?
Nice movement on your first video, its at 240k views now!! It was an amazing video and I have it saved in my "homesteading tutorials" video list that i'm putting together as sort of a training manual of sorts. Either way, I loved it, and it will be helpful for me when ever I get a trailer to put on the family land. (Btw, i'm from Gastonia North Carolina as a random side note. It was great to hear you talking about NC being a breeding ground for black soldier flys) Also, good reasoning on the 'investment' part. Same thought when I watched the video the first time.
I really want to see a design for a flow-through vermicomposter such as the HungryBin but for BSFL. The epitome of vermicomposting? I might have to design one myself.
Hey, Love your videos. Also saw your chicken coop build. Wish I found that video before I built mine. Keep the coming! Do you guys grow your own food too?
Good stuff. We need to find a winter alternative. What do penguins eat? Are there black soldier fish larvae? :P Jokes aside, we produce the same amount of kitchen scraps in winter as we do summer. Something must exist that can eat it and feed chickens.
Have you sprouted grains? [growing them till they begin to germinate and grow small shoots] Bean sprouts? Would it be good economically to feed them germinating grains/beans instead of dry grain? Do you soak your dry grain to help it grow fat so that the feed goes further? I’m no scientamasist but I think soaked/fermented feed is better nutritionally; is easier for them to digest. I don’t know about sprouted grain or beans, maybe it’ll give bulk but nutrients wise I have no idea. Please let me know your thoughts.
Maggots will be little squirmy things that move rapidly. The BSF larvae will be larger and have a more "caterpillar like" movement to them. That's the best way I can describe it lol. Once the BSF larvae grow a little, the difference is super clear and once you have BSF larvae, you will not see maggots because they out compete them
Another reason not to just give it to the chickens is the fact that in the summer it will attract flies and other critters. In winter, feeding straight to the chickens wouldn't be a problem since the flies aren't out and the chickens would be cooped up so the other critters couldn't get to the scraps. Thanks for the update!
Dude I have a worm farm that I feed compost. I put banana Peels to feed worms and to my disbelief now I have a worm farm and black soldier fly production and I drain the waste, and make compost tea.by the way I live 10 miles from washington Dc and it works.
If people add a source of heat then it’d work in winter no? Project suggestion: If you had a solar powered water heater panel , so cans that are painted black, or whatever, a battery maybe... you could install a water/oil filled tank/radiator which will act as heating for the larvae’s hatchery.
It would seem like that would be the case, but for a lot of plants, bugs, and animals, there are more things than just temperature that controls their life cycle. For example, I can keep some tropical plants alive in my greenhouse while snow is on the ground, but they are in a dormant state and unwilling to grow, or have died back to their root crown because of the day length, or whatever. Seasons are often hard-coded into a creature so that they are performing the right activity when local conditions are naturally right for that. What that trigger is, isn't necessarily temperature, or an unexpected warm period during winter can cause mass die-offs.
@@buckstarchaser2376Respect, beautifully and basically explained. A good example is comparing a self sown plant to a controlled planting time, in similarly 'natural' conditions. Observation is our best tool ;) The stress levels from plants not having what they need, when they most need it, allows for pest attack and vulnerabilities that will inhibit optimum growth and best results.. Every year, I attempt to get a head start on my short season, but the self sown seeds ALWAYS out grow, out perform and produce the best.. Wishing you abundance from Australia.. Bless.x
I saw a video on UA-cam of this guy doing just that (because he sells to local pet stores). But I don’t remember his name or video title. It might be The Black Soldier Fly Man? Or, Rancher Mike?
Great size instead of the baby pod. If you want maximum output you need inclosed conditions. Otherwise the pod will go dormant during the winter and if you feed the animals they will not have food for them in the winter. I Suggest that you do dehydrate store in bag for a food supply in the winter time, also you will need to sift the Frass out. House keeping Is critical do the predators(rats,lizards insects you get ants (meat eaters) games over! The pods outside so you’re gonna have a problem with that. Your doing great next project to build a grub shed then you can Breed them in a yearly rotational schedule. Good-luck The Black Soldier Fly Man. Pro-tip the dry air is your Nemesis because it will dry your eggs out and they will die! So check your eggs every day and you need 40% humidity for the eggs to hatch one more thing screen room your pod this way you keep your flies contained and you get to your eggs.
No need to spend over $300 for a criminally overpriced mineral tub.. I use a 55 gallon blue plastic barrel I got for $10. Cut off the top, filll 3/4 with manure+ food garbage then made an interior ramp from a garage sale sign that leads to an open tap connected to a 1 foot length of 3/4 inch 45 degree PVC slide directly into the coop. Total cost, around 30 dollars .
I've been doing diy bsfl bins for 3 years now, I would LOVE to have one of those pods!!! I still struggle finding enough food waste, but have fruit trees growing all over now. BSFL is the most amazing upcycling ever, forgetaboutthehaters. Oh and try playing Barry White tunes near your bin, no joke, the vibes of his voice turn on adult flies to breed like crazy! 😂 But it really works I think the sound of bsf flying is a similar low buzz and they come looking for their friends.
Wow a two year update with great info!! kudos on being a follow thru kinda guy.
UA-cam sent me here from the first video 😂😂
Thanks for sharing your knowledge! I appreciate it!
Hey Lazy LAbs, Im just a few minutes from the guy that makes those pods, nice guy! To help kick start your pod in Spring you need to know the over Wintering stage of the black soldier fly which is typically the larva stage (in central NC), so towards the end of Summer be sure to have places near the pod( rocks, logs, etc that they can go to and safely stay all Winter , then they will emerge early next Spring. Im sure this is already happening , but, its just helps to quickly restart next year since more will survive. Also, Anyone worried about critters getting inside can usually add a fence around the pod to deter. Hope this helps!
Thanks for leaving this comment. That will help me out in the future, if I ever get the homesteading thing started. (Basically, theres a 90% chance i'da never found this information out, and a 10% chance i'da gone through major loss of production trying to figure it out.)
Same here, just had this discussion with my wife.
The liquid that is produced from all the food being eaten can be used in the garden. It will make a huge difference in plant health.
Good update.
Same here in Texas they went dormant from November until March. I let some chicken feed soak for a day or two and then dumped it into the bin and the BSF laid their eggs in it. We also had some fish with freezer burn and dropped in there once I saw the larvae. My chickens go crazy for live BSFL and I do believe they produce more eggs when they have a good supply of BSFL.
Your absolutely correct I found this out by accident with my Quail hutches
I experience ZERO ODORS ZERO HOUSE FLIES now
I want the setup you have this year
Thank you for the update! All very helpful!
I just watched a video about BSF rearing. If you have a greenhouse you may want to move your setup into your greenhouse during the cooler months to keep the volume up during cooler temperatures
Great stuff! It’s our first summer with 5 hens in our backyard urban home in Pittsburgh. Zone 6 so almost the same as where you are. I think I’m gonna do what your doing. I have built a coup and run area beside our small garden. We have composted for years now. I have watched “living web farms” that did a video on this. Thanks for the simplicity and helpful tips. 🤙
@@donroose7676 you too….I’m in turtle creek area
Good explanation on how the 'conversion rate' on the BSFL can make a more nutrient dense food than just the food by itself. Just that explanation alone sold the idea, (although, I knew subconsciously that was what was happening, its just you put it out there with good words ;) )
Thank you very much
Thanks for watching!
Thanks much! I appreciate your time and information!! I'm hoping that we have these bfl where we live - the dried ones are soooo $$$$$$!!!!!! Take care & God bless!!
I bought the plans from NWW and we build it from 5/8 pressure treated plywood. Total cost with painting the exterior was over 200.00. I did not mind spending the money, knowing that it would last for several years. I don’t know why people fault other people for simple judgments like that.
I think using BSF larvae to dispose of chicken processing wastes is the best use of BSF’s for homesteader s. So many are not using it-kudos to you!
Great video. Good information. Thank you.
I learned that BSF needs temp above 50degrees to survive. In the north a small green house will be enough. In extreme temps set it up like a brooder. It's all good.
Thinking about setting up some livestock and your videos are very informative, thank you!
Buying the container for the black fly larvae makes sense. A roof to keep rain and birds out makes sense too.
In south TX I always see lizards near our trash bin, eating flies around the trash barrels.
With compost piles the smell and rodents is most folks concerns. Where you have it makes sense.
Fantastic followup man and thank you... your chickens in the background are nice and big and I think are ready for processing. how old are they please
I just watched the 1st BSFL video and 5 minutes later get to view the 2 year follow-up:D.
It will be interesting to see the BSFL eating the chicken scraps after butchering.
Do you use the frass (poop) on your plants, veges or lawns?
Same here! I’m like he’s reading our minds, whoa 😮
@@Uncle_Dandy It was certainly good timing.
Nice movement on your first video, its at 240k views now!!
It was an amazing video and I have it saved in my "homesteading tutorials" video list that i'm putting together as sort of a training manual of sorts.
Either way, I loved it, and it will be helpful for me when ever I get a trailer to put on the family land.
(Btw, i'm from Gastonia North Carolina as a random side note. It was great to hear you talking about NC being a breeding ground for black soldier flys)
Also, good reasoning on the 'investment' part. Same thought when I watched the video the first time.
I really want to see a design for a flow-through vermicomposter such as the HungryBin but for BSFL. The epitome of vermicomposting? I might have to design one myself.
Hey, Love your videos. Also saw your chicken coop build. Wish I found that video before I built mine. Keep the coming! Do you guys grow your own food too?
How to make! Please where is the pipe?????
Good stuff. We need to find a winter alternative. What do penguins eat? Are there black soldier fish larvae? :P
Jokes aside, we produce the same amount of kitchen scraps in winter as we do summer. Something must exist that can eat it and feed chickens.
Have you sprouted grains? [growing them till they begin to germinate and grow small shoots]
Bean sprouts?
Would it be good economically to feed them germinating grains/beans instead of dry grain?
Do you soak your dry grain to help it grow fat so that the feed goes further?
I’m no scientamasist but I think soaked/fermented feed is better nutritionally; is easier for them to digest.
I don’t know about sprouted grain or beans, maybe it’ll give bulk but nutrients wise I have no idea.
Please let me know your thoughts.
Can you talk about telling the difference between bsf larvae and maggots? Elaborate a little more? Ty so much!
Maggots will be little squirmy things that move rapidly. The BSF larvae will be larger and have a more "caterpillar like" movement to them. That's the best way I can describe it lol. Once the BSF larvae grow a little, the difference is super clear and once you have BSF larvae, you will not see maggots because they out compete them
I want one!!! Haha
What do you do with the finished ‘compost’ in winter?? Do you use it in your garden?
Another reason not to just give it to the chickens is the fact that in the summer it will attract flies and other critters. In winter, feeding straight to the chickens wouldn't be a problem since the flies aren't out and the chickens would be cooped up so the other critters couldn't get to the scraps. Thanks for the update!
Where is the pipe?????
Where can I find that style bin/tub?
Tar River Trading Post. It is in his drop-down information.
Dude I have a worm farm that I feed compost. I put banana Peels to feed worms and to my disbelief now I have a worm farm and black soldier fly production and I drain the waste, and make compost tea.by the way I live 10 miles from washington Dc and it works.
If people add a source of heat then it’d work in winter no?
Project suggestion:
If you had a solar powered water heater panel , so cans that are painted black, or whatever, a battery maybe... you could install a water/oil filled tank/radiator which will act as heating for the larvae’s hatchery.
It would seem like that would be the case, but for a lot of plants, bugs, and animals, there are more things than just temperature that controls their life cycle. For example, I can keep some tropical plants alive in my greenhouse while snow is on the ground, but they are in a dormant state and unwilling to grow, or have died back to their root crown because of the day length, or whatever. Seasons are often hard-coded into a creature so that they are performing the right activity when local conditions are naturally right for that. What that trigger is, isn't necessarily temperature, or an unexpected warm period during winter can cause mass die-offs.
@@buckstarchaser2376 Interesting
You wouldn’t have the Soldier flys coming by to lay eggs!
@@buckstarchaser2376Respect, beautifully and basically explained. A good example is comparing a self sown plant to a controlled planting time, in similarly 'natural' conditions. Observation is our best tool ;)
The stress levels from plants not having what they need, when they most need it, allows for pest attack and vulnerabilities that will inhibit optimum growth and best results..
Every year, I attempt to get a head start on my short season, but the self sown seeds ALWAYS out grow, out perform and produce the best.. Wishing you abundance from Australia.. Bless.x
They freeze real good
Thank you so much. I was wondering if it would work
Not enough information on how to make the item!!
Do You know of anyone putting it in a controlled environment? ( shed )
I saw a video on UA-cam of this guy doing just that (because he sells to local pet stores). But I don’t remember his name or video title. It might be The Black Soldier Fly Man? Or, Rancher Mike?
@@isabeauskorski9961 Thank You
Great size instead of the baby pod. If you want maximum output you need inclosed conditions. Otherwise the pod will go dormant during the winter and if you feed the animals they will not have food for them in the winter. I Suggest that you do dehydrate store in bag for a food supply in the winter time, also you will need to sift the Frass out. House keeping Is critical do the predators(rats,lizards insects you get ants (meat eaters) games over! The pods outside so you’re gonna have a problem with that. Your doing great next project to build a grub shed then you can Breed them in a yearly rotational schedule. Good-luck The Black Soldier Fly Man. Pro-tip the dry air is your Nemesis because it will dry your eggs out and they will die! So check your eggs every day and you need 40% humidity for the eggs to hatch one more thing screen room your pod this way you keep your flies contained and you get to your eggs.
Good info to chew on, thanks man
I also watched a DIY soldier fly bin video, I think the $350 is worth it.
Dang two years like that? It just too empty.
Does this bin attract raccoon, possums or mice ?
Opossums eat ticks. That opossum was probably so fat and happy he was planning to stay forever.
No need to spend over $300 for a criminally overpriced mineral tub.. I use a 55 gallon blue plastic barrel I got for $10. Cut off the top, filll 3/4 with manure+ food garbage then made an interior ramp from a garage sale sign that leads to an open tap connected to a 1 foot length of 3/4 inch 45 degree PVC slide directly into the coop. Total cost, around 30 dollars .
Maybe get the wife to reply to your comments?
I've been doing diy bsfl bins for 3 years now, I would LOVE to have one of those pods!!!
I still struggle finding enough food waste, but have fruit trees growing all over now.
BSFL is the most amazing upcycling ever, forgetaboutthehaters.
Oh and try playing Barry White tunes near your bin, no joke, the vibes of his voice turn on adult flies to breed like crazy! 😂 But it really works
I think the sound of bsf flying is a similar low buzz and they come looking for their friends.
You can use any biodegradable products, from grass clippings and leaves to roadkill to slop from a ditch.