- Jun 28, 2011
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Mike, known to BYC members as mlmddh, has been a BYC member since August 2010. A man of few words, he is known for his lovely flock of Icelandic chickens, adorable goats and his invaluable help during our The 5th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-a-long.
1. Tell us a bit more about yourself.
I'm married to the most wonderful, understanding enabler in the world. Although she does seem to tense up a bit when I start a sentence with "I've been thinking". We have a small hobby farm outside Millersburg OH. Basically, my whole life has become one big hobby. I used to fish a lot and after taking the last few years off I started again this year and plan to do a lot more this year. I also have a nice little woodworking shop. I also started showing my female Icelandic Sheepdog late 2013, she earned her first AKC point Dec. 2013 and earned her grand champion title at the same show weekend Dec. 2014.
2. Why and when did you start keeping chickens?
I think I started with chickens in spring 2009. I'm not certain why, but I'm fairly certain it began with me saying "Honey, I've been thinking". When growing up we visited my grand parents who lived in the country, the people across the street had a free ranging flock of chickens, I really liked seeing them and hearing the roosters crow.
3. Which aspect(s) of chicken keeping do you enjoy the most?
Watching them free range and a hen with her chicks running around. If I couldn't free range, I'm not certain I would keep them any longer.
4. Which members of your flock, past and present, stand out for you and why?
An EE from our original flock we called gray. She would go broody and I didn't have a rooster. When I got a rooster she hated him, she practiced all day trying to fly out of the run and finally made it. That is when I started free ranging.
Another one is an Icelandic Rooster my wife calls "Hero". We were out cleaning the barn, heard a commotion, looked out and this 6 month old cockerel was fighting with a Red Tail Hawk. All the mature roosters were hiding with the hens. He has a home here for as long as he lives.
A third would be an Icelandic Hen called "Trouble". She is always going places she shouldn't. The second the garage is opened, she runs into it, spends a lot of time on the roof.
5. What was the funniest (chicken related) thing(s) that happened to you in your years as chicken owner?
I don't know of any particular funny chicken related story. I just think they are funny to watch in their daily actions.
6. Beside chickens, what other pets do you keep?
Dogs - 2 Icelandic Sheepsdogs (with more on the way, hopefully), and 1 Schipperke.
A small herd of Nigerian Dwarf Goats.
A few ducks and quail, yet to be processed.
I think that's it for now, but I've been thinking about adding turkeys again next year.
7. Anything you'd like to add?
Vote for Pedro and all your dreams will come true.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/u/65471/mlmddh
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
1. Tell us a bit more about yourself.
I'm married to the most wonderful, understanding enabler in the world. Although she does seem to tense up a bit when I start a sentence with "I've been thinking". We have a small hobby farm outside Millersburg OH. Basically, my whole life has become one big hobby. I used to fish a lot and after taking the last few years off I started again this year and plan to do a lot more this year. I also have a nice little woodworking shop. I also started showing my female Icelandic Sheepdog late 2013, she earned her first AKC point Dec. 2013 and earned her grand champion title at the same show weekend Dec. 2014.
2. Why and when did you start keeping chickens?
I think I started with chickens in spring 2009. I'm not certain why, but I'm fairly certain it began with me saying "Honey, I've been thinking". When growing up we visited my grand parents who lived in the country, the people across the street had a free ranging flock of chickens, I really liked seeing them and hearing the roosters crow.
3. Which aspect(s) of chicken keeping do you enjoy the most?
Watching them free range and a hen with her chicks running around. If I couldn't free range, I'm not certain I would keep them any longer.
4. Which members of your flock, past and present, stand out for you and why?
An EE from our original flock we called gray. She would go broody and I didn't have a rooster. When I got a rooster she hated him, she practiced all day trying to fly out of the run and finally made it. That is when I started free ranging.
Another one is an Icelandic Rooster my wife calls "Hero". We were out cleaning the barn, heard a commotion, looked out and this 6 month old cockerel was fighting with a Red Tail Hawk. All the mature roosters were hiding with the hens. He has a home here for as long as he lives.
A third would be an Icelandic Hen called "Trouble". She is always going places she shouldn't. The second the garage is opened, she runs into it, spends a lot of time on the roof.
5. What was the funniest (chicken related) thing(s) that happened to you in your years as chicken owner?
I don't know of any particular funny chicken related story. I just think they are funny to watch in their daily actions.
6. Beside chickens, what other pets do you keep?
Dogs - 2 Icelandic Sheepsdogs (with more on the way, hopefully), and 1 Schipperke.
A small herd of Nigerian Dwarf Goats.
A few ducks and quail, yet to be processed.
I think that's it for now, but I've been thinking about adding turkeys again next year.
7. Anything you'd like to add?
Vote for Pedro and all your dreams will come true.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/u/65471/mlmddh
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
