How to Re-Hydrate Chubby Mealworms

We are often asked how to re-hydrate dried mealworms so we had a go at doing it! It is a good idea to re-hydrate Chubby Dried Mealworms when feeding to young chicks or when water is scarce (although you should always have plenty of water available if feeding domestic pets or birds). This is because the animals have to re-hydrate the worms in their stomach in order to digest them. Re-Hydrating the worms can also help to get animals used to eating the dried meal worms as they are a stepping stone between live and dried mealworms.

To re-hydrate the freeze dried mealworms follow the steps below:

1. Put the dried mealworms in a suitable container. We just dropped a handful into the bottom of a plastic tub.

Dried Chubby Mealworms

2. The mealworms then need hydrating. We found the best way was to boil the kettle and pour this over the dried mealworms. Add enough water so all the mealworms are covered (even though they float at the top!). I thought they smelt like vegetable soup when doing this!

Add water to Chubby Mealworms

3. Leave them to soak for at least 30 minutes. This gives them enough time to soak up as much water as possible. You should notice that they swell in size and also go a bit paler.

Let them soak

4. After 30 minutes or so they are ready! Sieve the mealworms out and feed! You should find them nicely hydrated and flexible.

Plump and Soft!

Check out the video I uploaded to show a nicely hydrated mealworm. I am attempting to show that the worm is flexible in the video!