Michigan

[chikkaboomboom]

Thank you Keyt, the family fishes alot and I really like recycling the fish offal be it either for the compost or the chickens

 

[chickflick]

A couple of years ago, my next door neighbor was opening his above ground swimming pool when he discovered it was full of tadpoles. He was just gonna dump them when his girlfriend and I started yelling "Save the tadpoles!" They were on top of the cover. We got all kinds of nets and buckets and started scooping them up. Took a long time but we got most of them. I took them to Krisrose's house and we put them in the kiddy pools she had set up for chicken's very large watering hole. I don't know what happened, but after I left they started escaping. So there's Kristen trying to scoop them up again. We put them back in the buckets and I took them over to a small lake and swamp area and released them. We all laughed so hard trying to catch those little buggers. Brad thought we were all nuts.

 

[RIRJen]

I never see little toads/frogs like I used to in my yard...but there sure is an increase in garter snakes

Caught a pretty big one today and let my daughter play with it awhile before letting it go out by the poop-pile (rabbit poop).

 

[Chickmate]

Quote:
I raise them to adulthood then let them go. I like having them in the yard. I also try to get green frogs and bullfrogs too
I guess I'm just a nature nut.

OK, worked outside today, took a shower, had supper and coming back to re-read your post RaZ. I DID need more coffee; it's making sense now. Thanks for the offer of help with my tadpole population explosion. I'm thinking that you're thinking my pond is a small one, but it's actually 1/4 acre and I guess a pretty nice place to live if you're a tadpole. This spring it just seems like there are so many more. It may be because my two swans are gone and they probably ate quite a few as well as adult toads and frogs. The chickens are going to feast in a week or two when the baby toads start coming out of the water. But . . . if you or anyone else would like some tadpoles, feel free to come on out!! RaZ, I think it was you who mentioned seeing a male toad in the yard. How do you tell the difference? I have some enormous toads around the house this year too. Would be interesting to know which is male and which is female.

Well, I went out to mow the lawn with my brand spankin' new tractor today. I got around the yard twice then had to stop to move something. I put the parking brake on and it will not disengage. When I went to set it the handle seemed very loose and kind of rattley and it took a few tries before it would engage. Now it won't budge. So, even with a new tractor I still didn't get my lawn done. I'm beginning to think God is telling me I should sell the place and move back closer to my daughter. Or rent an apartment. Think I can find an apartment that allows chickens?

 

[Opa]

Another great day is underway. I need to mow again just to get things looking a little more even. I hate how the lawn looks after mowing and it was too long when you cut it. There's alway uncut grass standing back up. Hopefully this will be the last time that we get delayed in our chores due to weather.

I've got a Vorwerk hen sitting on six eggs that are due to hatch today. I should have placed more than that under her but I wasn't sure how many she could cover. The way she fluffed out she could have handled a dozen.

 

[1muttsfan]

Good morning Michigan! A beautiful sunny morning here today

. Garden planting on the menu, time to roll the dice and get the rest of the tomatos and the pepper plants out. Potatos too, have a new variety called Rose Finn to try this year.
Yesterday was warm enough to get my little half-feathered 6 week olds out in their little pen, they sure loved it, although the little banty ams would barely stick their heads out of the shelter before something would scare them back in. They are very spooky. They look like little grey doves.

 

[Opa]

People are always talking about old people losing their memory. Well evidently we lose the ability to count as well. I finished planting my garden last week and was sure that I had planted 24 bell pepper plants. Earlier this week Hope's oldest son called and asked me to pick up 8 tomato cages for him that were on sale at a local hardware. They were small and only 79 cents and I thought that they would be ideal to support the pepper plants. With a stack of 32 cages I started placing them on my plants. When I was done there were no cages left. I had to return to the hardware store and buy 8 more for Roy. Still can't figure out how I managed to windup with 32 pepper plants

 

[RaZ]

Quote:
Perhaps you've discovered "pepper math"...

 

[RaZ]

Chickmate,
I'd like to take you up on your tadpole offer. A bucket or 2 would be nice.
Usually the male toad is smaller than the female.





Male on left approaching a female. She rejected him,

 

[Chickmate]

Quote:
Perhaps you've discovered "pepper math"...

RaZ, you bring your buckets out here anytime in the next week or so and you can take home as many tadpoles as you want!