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The feeders we use are pictured
in Carroll Henderson's book "Woodworking for Wildlife." We put one feeder
on the deck and one in a backyard feeding station. We saw an example
of the heated feeder while watching for the Carolina Wren at Leslie Kottke's
wild-bird refuge.
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of a rectangular, enclosed feeder with entrance and exit holes (bluebird
sized) on three sides. Ours has one side cut from plexiglass so we
can see through it like a picture window. Bob (Ekblad) adapted it to bring
in heat tape that wraps around a tuna cam (worm holder) to keep the worms
alive, warm, and active in the winter.
The chickadees and nuthatches are easily trained to enter
and exit this feeder in the winter for worms
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The worms I use are obtained in bulk from Rainbow Mealworms of California.
I get 5,000 large ones at a time, although they are available in smaller lots.
We easily go through 5,000 in a month so it saves on shipping costs.
I tried 10,000 once but had a heck of a time with storage. The cost for 5,000
is a little more than $20 (including shipping). Their phone number is (310)
635-1494 for inquiries and first order. After that there is an 800 number
for reorders. It takes two days to get the worms to your door, and we have
never had trouble with dead ones or worms maturing to beetles.
I have attempted to raise the worms from beetles, but it isn't worth
the time and effort.
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