How I Spend My Day

[Gwynne]

I have over 30 caterpillars ranging in age from about two weeks old to a day old. I also have eight eggs.

I spend about two hours a day feeding the caterpillars and cleaning the containers which I do twice a day. I wouldnt think it would take so long just to do that!

When I need food, I spend a bit of time gathering it, rescuing any little caterpillars, trying to avoid taking eggs since I have so many. I then wash all the leaves off double checking for eggs I may have accidentally taken. Today I thought I had accidntally grabbed one egg but found six! Plus I had to search for the two baby caterpillars I had found. This can take an hour or so.

Just wondering how many hours a day other people devote to their caterpillars? What have other people found that make things run more smoothly?

[Farfalla]

There seems to be so many eggs this year! After collecting 15 today I have decided that I just can't take them ALL in anymore .I just don't have the space.

Finding egg free leaves to feed the cats is the hardest part! I have options, though. Since I have my garden here, a local wild patch and the school waystation.
I want to grow some milkweed in an enclosed outdoor environment.
This way I could use that milkweed to feed the cats I collect.I have been lobbying my husband to build me something.

Cleaning the critter keepers is fairly easy. I seem to get into a groove,I just gather everything I need in one place and do it in esembly line fashion.I keep a little diaper pail-like garbage can near by.
Changing/feeding sessions take about 15 minutes twice a day.I do it once in the morning and once right before I go to bed.

Right now is the calm before the storm....I have newly formed chrysalises and newly hatched eggs. So I have at least a week off

[Gwynne]

Yes, I have decided no more eggs, either. As you said, it is hard to find nice milkweed that is egg free. I do have nine that should pupate soon. That would sure be nice! And I did order the Live Monarch Castle and you can apparently put babies in there. I have 20 babies now. Then there are six in the in between stage.

I dont know how you guys all do it! It takes a tremendous amount of effort and the people who are running the Monarch Stations are to be congratulated.

[psi_chemie]

This is my second year. The first was a lot of work. This time it is still a lot, but less. As I figure things out, I have a feeling it will become nothing more than say, washing my dishes and taking out the trash. It's a good hobby because it's not with you all year and the turds are much smaller than that of a dog or cat :)

[Farfalla]

LOL psi, that is the truth. That's why my husband is in charge of the litter box in this house.
I really enjoy the process of taking care of caterpillars,though. It's strange but once they pupate..I miss them !
It is a wonderful hobby and I like to believe by raising and releasing healthy Monarchs we are making a positive impact on their population

[Gwynne]

Yeah, the last couple of days I have been thinking about how nuts it can get with so many, but I am sure I would miss doing this.

The feline cats are much easier to handle, but maybe because there is only two of them and I just go to the vet to pick up their food! I actually got my cats frontline because I have been bringing in so many ticks. I wanted them protected at least!