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Post by Jenny on Aug 13, 2014 20:19:02 GMT
I can't get over the volume of brood, and the organised chaos. It must be all the chicken you feed them Shane amongst other things. I hope they carry on for a few more years yet, you have had them a fair while now
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2014 20:37:12 GMT
What an brilliant set up and colony
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shane
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Post by shane on Aug 13, 2014 20:55:37 GMT
I can't get over the volume of brood, and the organised chaos. It must be all the chicken you feed them Shane amongst other things. I hope they carry on for a few more years yet, you have had them a fair while now Just added some more pictures I forgot to link in there.
yeah they seem to eat anything, Their favourite seems to be cooked chicken and cooked carrot and watermelon, and seeds.
They could peek at 2000+ workers next month but depends how it balances out when workers start to die off.
She's around 5 years old queen.
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shane
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Post by shane on Aug 13, 2014 20:57:48 GMT
What an brilliant set up and colony thanks myrm
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shane
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Post by shane on Aug 13, 2014 21:07:56 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2014 21:30:00 GMT
Fantastic video. You're obviously doing a great job of keeping them. Keep it up.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2014 22:26:07 GMT
Shane, I just wondered what size nest you're keeping them in? I know it's one of the alpha ants starter kits but can't remember if it's Starter Kit A (small) or Starter Kit C ? My Messors are in C and I've only had them a year and have already added an extra small slim nest for them to expand into. Do you ever think you'll add more nests for them to expand into or are you not worried that they'll get overcrowded?
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shane
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Post by shane on Aug 13, 2014 22:34:02 GMT
Shane, I just wondered what size nest you're keeping them in? I know it's one of the alpha ants starter kits but can't remember if it's Starter Kit A (small) or Starter Kit C ? My Messors are in C and I've only had them a year and have already added an extra small slim nest for them to expand into. Do you ever think you'll add more nests for them to expand into or are you not worried that they'll get overcrowded? They was in a starter set A then got a bigger nest, But theres loads of room so I don't think it will get to overcrowded yet. Also worker ants can live up to 1 or 2 months in a messor colony so many could die out before the new ants start to emerge.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2014 2:19:19 GMT
Nice, really good to see the queen, she has nice colours! You've been taking care of this colony really well! When do you think they'll produce alates?
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Dr. Ant
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Post by Dr. Ant on Aug 14, 2014 6:24:13 GMT
Just reading through your Messor journal Shane, very interesting. I'm glad I opted for hanging my nest like a picture frame, that should safeguard it form any vibrations while I'm at my desk. nice journal
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Post by Wood~Ant on Aug 14, 2014 8:15:55 GMT
Loads of eggs from your queen Shane, it is becoming interesting to see how big your colony is now, as I know my Q2 colony has reached massive numbers of workers too. It seems like a race to see which of our gets to be the biggest, but I think it's neck and neck at present.
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Dr. Ant
Honey Pot Ant
Plagued by Pheidole Pallidula Invading the Kitchen
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Favourite Ant: Messor Barbarus
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Post by Dr. Ant on Aug 14, 2014 8:56:00 GMT
Your latest video Shane is brilliant I loved the way they rip the chicken off and the other workers follow the scent up the pipe behind the meat! I hope they consume the chicken and don't leave it in the nest to grow mold later? They certainly love it, it's like chocolate is to us Thanks Once chicken gets in nest with over 1500+ ant's in, The meat will not last more than an hour, So I don't have to worry anymore with meat been left to get moldy anymore. Wow that's some big colony, 1500+ workers? how do you fit them all in. Man my colony seems still in the dark ages compared.
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shane
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Post by shane on Aug 14, 2014 9:32:38 GMT
They always peak colony numbers in or after summer to 1400+. Then colony seems to die down to 1000 or just under over winter months then boost up again in Spring.
Colony moved out by their own from old nest. As I connected new nest to it and she moved Over night. In less than 2 months., colony had dug out all the nest sand from new nest and been fine since.
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Post by honeypotant on Aug 14, 2014 15:48:54 GMT
Your latest photos are fantastic, you evidently get a lot of fun and happiness from your colony.
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shane
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Post by shane on Aug 14, 2014 16:05:06 GMT
Your latest photos are fantastic, you evidently get a lot of fun and happiness from your colony. Thanks I was watching a new super major today even let her have around, she's tall with her long body and legs But her head seem small for her body as a super major
But still she has a defensive stance I found out by accident so she's like a queens grad more then a worker major and she's fast.
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