How to Produce Fat Earthworms

Choose a dark-colored container of appropriate size. Earthworms prefer darkness, so a clear container should not be used. According to New York Worms, a container that is about 1 square foot for 2,000 red wigglers or 1,000 European night crawlers provides the required amount of oxygen.

Wash and dry the container.

Drill 1/16-inch holes in the sides, below the top edge of the container, for aeration.

Place the peat moss in a large container. Add water, mix it thoroughly and let it soak overnight.

Squeeze the peat moss, ensuring that only a few drops of water remain. A 60 percent moisture content for earthworm bedding is ideal.

Crumble the peat moss and add it to the plastic container, ensuring the bedding is 7 inches deep.

Add your earthworms to the container.

Feed your earthworms either chicken or laying mash. Laying mash has a higher protein content, which is desirable.

Sprinkle the mash over the bedding lightly, and spray the food with water. Do not overfeed or overwater. Your earthworms will eat within 24 hours.

Move your earthworms to a cool, dark location such as a closet or basement.

Mix up the bedding gently every one to two weeks, moving the bottom layers to the top. Earthworms absorb oxygen through their bodies, and that will enable them to obtain oxygen from the bedding.

Spray the bedding with water periodically, when it appears to be drying out.

Modify your worms' diet to include items such as eggshells, green vegetables, oatmeal and cornmeal.

Use your worms for either fishing, gardening or composting.