BYC Member Interview - chicknmania

sumi

Rest in Peace 1980-2020
Premium Feather Member
8 Years
Jun 28, 2011
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27,174
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Molly, known to BYC members as chicknmania, has been a member of our community since 2007. Another of our wonderful all rounders, she will often be found in the Emergencies forum section, where she is known for her helpfulness and good advice.

1. Tell us a bit more about yourself.

I've been married for 35 years. We have three adult children, one son, two daughters. My hobbies are our chickens and peafowl, of course, as well as gardening and bird and wildlife watching, horseback riding, anything outdoors.

2. Why and when did you start keeping chickens?

We started keeping chickens when we moved to our small farm after living in the city. My son had just started high school and he wanted to keep livestock as an FFA project. We chose chickens as we thought they would be easiest to keep! Well, of course, my children eventually grew up and moved on, but the chickens stayed here. I don't care, I'm happy to have them! We have 32 birds, four are peafowl, the rest are chickens.

3. Which aspect(s) of chicken keeping do you enjoy the most?

I love watching the flock dynamics… their individual personalities, relationships and interactions with each other and with us, who is friends with who, their favorite foods to eat and favorite places to go. Also watching them grow up and watching their colors and markings change as they grow. And we have fun naming them. And each one has their own story, I've learned something from every one of them.

4. Which members of your flock, past and present, stand out for you and why?

We've had so many flock members stand out that I don't know where to begin. My rooster Captain who recently was the victim of an owl on Halloween evening while trying to return to the barn to roost… was almost seven years old, he hatched here and we watched him grow from chick to alpha rooster and then slowly decline as he began to age and have health issues, but he was one of the smartest, friendliest, and most beautiful roosters we have ever had. My rooster Doodle used to fly to my shoulder or arm and crow. I eventually taught him to crow by voice command. He died at six years old but left behind an offspring, a pullet named Peaches. Not only did she grow up to look so much like him, but she also would fly to my shoulder at every opportunity. And she had so many of his mannerisms, it was almost like he had returned to us through her! But I hate to leave anyone out, I've had so many favorites, I could tell lots of stories. I'm sure everyone on here can say the same.

5. What was the funniest (chicken related) thing(s) that happened to you in your years as chicken owner?

We've had lots of amusing things happen with our flock. Watching them pecking an apple on a string is always hilarious. In summer it was always funny when Captain and his hens would try their best (and often succeeded) to get into the house.. they'd just stroll in like they lived there.. and we'd find them lounging in the living room or somewhere...

6. Beside chickens, what other pets do you keep?

Besides the chickens we have four peafowl… two India Blue cocks, and two India Blue hens. Four cats, and some fish.

7. Anything you'd like to add?

Our oldest chicken was Onyx, a little mixed breed hen we had who produced many babies for us. She lived to be 9 years old, and she has set the record. Her head feathers were turning all gray and she was pretty arthritic, but she was still getting around OK. She disappeared one day and I found her later.. I think she was not able to escape a possum as she just wasnt as fast and agile as she had been, of course.

Below is a picture of my rooster Doodle, and also Onyx with some of her chicks, in her younger days.
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Captain in happier times...



Our peacock Phoenix loves to ride on the hood of my car. Obviously, I go VERY slowly...inching along..but he thinks it's a great thrill ride!





https://www.backyardchickens.com/u/245/chicknmania


See here for more about the interview feature and a complete list of member interviews: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/905602/introducing-vip-member-interviews/0_30
 
Nice interview, I enjoyed reading it and hearing about some of your birds. Captain sounds like he was quite the guy.

Thank you for sharing!
 
Aww Molly, your story is fabulous and Captain (RIP) was a beauty!! You are a star!!
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Thank you Molly for sharing your adventures with us on BYC. I enjoyed your story. What chickens did your son show in FFA? what breeds of chickens do you have now?
thanks again
 

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