Yes and No. The above is how fast it is possible for the worms to breed. That does not mean they will breed that fast. Heck, it is possible for a human female to give birth about every 10 months for perhaps as long as 30 years-we don't see that happening too often either.

That said, worms do breed pretty fast if all conditions are right. I expect that my population of worms has more than doubled since July and there are lots of cocoons and tiny worms too.

With optimum food, space, bedding, moisture and especially temperature the worms will breed more. Keep in mind the space thing is tricky, if the bin is really big with few worms they might not meet up to breed as often and a small over crowded bin without enough food will inhibit breeding too.

How long have you had your 50 worms in the bucket bin? It took me a while to start finding the cocoons but once I did there seem to be tones of em.

Just a couple days now. I keep imagining that I'll have several buckets of compost by each week, just with my 50 worms, lol

We had a cold snap and I worried that they wouldn't make it. I keep it outside.
Is there a way to insulate it?

And thank you for the feedback.

Newspaper wrapped in layers around the outside and layered on top is a cheap and readily available and effective insulator. Without a heat source,however, no insulation will maintain heat forever. The inside temp wants to equalize with the outside temp, insulation just prolongs it.
I use a temperature probe inside the bedding to let me know what the temp is "inside" the bin and make adjustments according to that reading, not the outside temp. The outside temp just lets me know what my bin temp will be if I do nothing.

What kind of thermometer do we use to test the temperatures? I live in a warmer climate than shilohyn, but we still get freezes here in zone 7 (I think)? I am not planning on bringing the worms in the house, yet, but that may change as my "mothering instincts" kick in?

Here's a link to the manufacturer of the thermohygrometer that I use. I don't find the RH as useful as the temps, but it's nice to see and helps with the moisture control.

Here is a link that might be useful: Temp reader

Thank you. I keep worrying that I'm not doing things right. It's only been a couple days and I don't see hordes of wormies devouring my scraps like I dream of. lol

What temp range would be sensible for them if they live outdoors. Maybe I can think of some insulation (attic insulation, maybe?) that might keep it warm enough in the day. Maybe a worm greenhouse? Lol, I can't believe I'm even considering building a house for worms, but the idea is out there now.
Shilohyn

Below is a link for the compost Thermometer I use for my compost pile. However, a 5 gallon bucket is probably not going to be big enough to keep your worms happy outside over winter near Chicago. That is just my guess. You may be better off bringing your bucket inside somewhere for the really cold months if you don't have a good warm compost bin to nestle the bucket into.

Somewhere on the web is the info about the best temperatures for different species of worms. Like I think most worms are more active in the mating department somewhere around 65-78 F but they can survive a much wider range (I'm not sure what the lower end of the comfort range is but my guess might be around 40 F.) I don't think most worms are into freezing solid and therefore probably don't want to spend much time in a bucket below freezing. In the wild earthworms in the Northern Midwest can burrow deep underground to survive winter. Most composting worms are actually native to milder climates.

Here is a link that might be useful: REOTEMP

Thank you. That's just what I needed to know. I'll figure something out.
Thanks.

another thought is that worms don't eat nor do they party as much when they are not kept at optimum temp. (no castings and no babies)

Thanks for the thermomenter selection, Utahvermie and tclynx! I am compiling the things I may need once I get myself lined out.
shilohyn, I know just how you feel! I am so excited that, in my dreams last night, I thought up about 5 different ways to build worm houses, worm beds as flower beds, raised beds out of concrete, adding rabbits over that for more worm food...whew! I have a lot of potential to run with. I accidently found that I have a bazzillion worms and now I am busily re-digging my flower beds and making specific changes to encourage the outdoor worms, plus I am finding babies on the sidewalk so I am putting them in the new compost on the ground around the newly planted flowers and bulbs.
I had been planning to start a plant business, which I definately will now because one of the major issues I was having was where to BUY the compost for my plants. This comes as a wonderful windfall and since I can add worms to my plant business plan...I am truly excited. I also plan to set up some worm bins in my house for fun and learning. For that I am going to buy the worms and bins. Just deciding which ones I am going with for now! Have a lot of fun...stop worrying...and keep getting excited! It's healthy for you! =o)

That sounds great Shyspook! I hope your business takes right off! Maybe you could start selling some to community gardeners.
I hate being patient, lol. But I guess the worms need their privacy, too. I'd like to cover my tiny backyard with their compost as soon as possible and they're taking it easy, lol.

Shilohyn, I think it will probably take about a year for a crop of worms to come along enough to be able to sell a few, from all I have heard and read. It won't be overnight but all I really want to do is to suppliment my income so that I won't have to work 4 jobs instead of the 3 I am working now! LOL! But, I see a way, now! And if I don't actually find any buyers, I will have the wormiest yard in east Texas and I will have really helped the soil and any plants I may grow.
I get so excited when I find another worm thing idea, however. I was cleaning my back yard and I have an old brick shed about 10' by 12' that used to be where the old owner had the washing machine set up. It even has an electrical outlet! Right now it has old junk in it and the floor has a drain that is covered up with soil,leaves,and shredded paper bedding for the dogs to go in there to sleep. I went in and looked around and realized that I COULD have shelf after shelf of container worm beds! and I moved something and jabbed a place in the soil on the floor and I found worms already growing in that small depth of floor debris...I think that God is trying to tell me something!

I ordered some Large brick blocks,today, to make proper beds for the worms (4' by 6') 2 layers high to keep out dogs,cats, and hopefully, O'possums and racoons. (For outside in the yard). They will be comming next Saturday. I don't plan on cementing them together because I may want to move the bed later on...I don't really care if the worms crawl out because once I start putting enough food in there, they may just crawl back in again! I have learned enough to believe they like to eat...more than most animals. I have enough metal screen wire to put down on the ground before I stack the blocks up to keep the moles and gophers out. I will put boards on top of that to make collecting the worm castings easier and to keep from tearing up my screen wire. If we have a cold spell, I can wrap the whole bed with an outer chicken wire wall, put dry leaves in between the blocks and wire, water it down and presto bingo, heat the blocks just enough to keep the worms warm! I may also put ply-wood on the top...I don't know yet...but this is the plan so far. Of course, I will have to supply bedding but I have enough shredded paper, cardboard boxes and perhaps some initial peat moss to start the compost pile and bedding process.

What I don't know is, after I put down the cardboard over the boards, do I put the peat moss or the shredded paper next? then I know I can put a layer of leaves over the shredded paper...AND... How many thousands of worms should I put in a 4'by6' bed? Since I am not using any green or juicy stuff like grass or old fruit, yet, I do not look for the pile to get very warm at all.

I started an open worm bed on the spur of the moment about 2 weeks ago when I found the first worms. I only put shredded paper on the ground in a space about 2' by 10' along the side of an open garage. I covered it with leaves about 1/2" thick and covered it with black plastic. It rained and I was afraid they would get too wet and drown, but when I went out there today and looked at the bed, the shredded paper WAS really tough and sort of hard and damp, but the worms are burrowing up into it and I guess they like it because they really did not like me moving them around...yep, I could tell. Things are moving right along here with the worms.... Have good luck with yours, too, and look around your area... You might just come up with more ideas for making more worm room...I just today remembered that I also have a "fraidy" hole, or Bomb shelter left over from the 1950's that I have never been in!(it is scarey!!!) I am actually thinking about having someone come and clean it out for me so I can, can you guess? Grow more worms! LOL! and I haven't even really started yet! =o)

Lol, Shy
Sounds like you should consider selling the compost they are going to make for you! Make a few small worm bins for neighbors, sell worms to bait shops and fishermen, and sell the compost. You have a great business investment and lots of ways to go!
I'll make myself patient.
Sorry I don't have any answers for you, I'm guessing a lot, too. I truly wish you well, though.
Shilohyn

I appreciate that you even read my post, Shilohyn. I am so excited about this new-found opportunity that I want to dance around and tell everyone around me..that would be a mistake for me...too many people will tell me I cannot make it go for any number of reasons, even when there aren't any reasons. I don't need that for now. I want to feel like there is HOPE for me. And even if you only have a bathroom to keep a box of worms in, I have read enough stuff here and on the various recommended worm sites, to know that with just a little patience and proper management, you could be supplying local growers yourself there in Chicago.
This morning I spent rummaging around finding tubs like 2' tall and about 2' across the top. There was old plant soil in them from when I put them away about 10 years ago. And lo and behold, there were worms in those too, so I set it up on my deck on a cement block, filled it with worm dirt that I scraped off the sidewalk in front, and planted some vines and cuttings in it. As I went around and got some of the shredded paper that had been rained on and had gotten stiff in the bag, I discovered that the worms had found my shredded paper all by themselves and were munching away. I took those clumps with baby worms in them and covered around the plants that I put in the pot. I also found a rotting pear and because the worms were already established in the pot I put the whole rotting pear right next to the rim, just under the paper.
Needless to say, If you have a bag of shredded paper laying on the ground or on top of a large flower pot (a small bag will do)and it gets wet, leave it in the plastic and punch holes in it on the top and bottom and leave it there for the worms to find, I'll bet they will make a cafeteria out of it...they have mine!
I just never noticed it before, really, and now that I have, I am amazed, feel blessed, and things are falling into place....and all because the city insisted that I clean up my front driveway! LOL! The things we go through to learn to live.
Maybe someday, you will be able to move into a house with a small yard...and then nothing can keep you back...just don't give up! =o)