- Jun 28, 2011
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Ron, known to BYC members as ronott1, has been a member of our community since March 2011. He can often be found discussing breeds in the Chicken Breeds section and is also the wonderful host of the Annual NYD hatch along. (Join him and fellow hatchers for the 6th Annual BYC New Year's Day 2015 Hatch-A-Long)
1. Tell us a bit more about yourself.
Ron with Pepe, a Pita Pinta Rooster
I have been married for 32 years and have three daughters. The oldest is 26 and has just moved out for the second time- hopefully for good this time! My middle daughter is a divorced Army wife and is back home now too. My youngest Daughter is 15 and a straight A student at Pioneer High School in Woodland.
My Wife is a Spanish Teacher in Davis California and I work for the University (UCDavis) as a Computer support person. I have been there since 1996. Previously I worked as a Meat Clerk for Safeway. I also have a Master’s degree in Guidance counseling.
2. Why and when did you start keeping chickens?
We had chickens growing up and it was my job to feed them and collect the eggs. We lived on 40 acres that had a prune orchard on 15 acres. The house was set into the first rows from the street. When I was 17 we moved to a City that did not allow chickens and learned quickly to hate store bought eggs.
Flash forward to 1992 when we moved to Woodland where 6 hens are allowed…then flash forward to 2010 and getting chickens at our own place. Wow what a difference having in town compared to the prune orchard! I had to re learn things and learn new things from my child hood. Poultry science has come a long ways and so have poultry problems and illnesses. BYC is such a great place to learn!
3. Which aspect(s) of chicken keeping do you enjoy the most?
Hatching them of course! It is the most amazing thing to do and see. I am hosting the NYD hatch a long again this year and it is so much fun to help those new to hatching. Many of them do not know what is in store for them.
I have been hatching for a local breeder to help improve Silver gray Dorkings and New Heritage Delaware’s. Living in the City I cannot keep the numbers of chickens that need to be hatched each year to improve a breed so it has been my way of helping out with heritage chickens.
SG Dorking chicks
Eggs are also very important to me. I love eating them and I love the different colors. I have been working on getting blue, green and dark brown layers. I have Partridge Penedesenca, Arkansas blue egg layers and Cream Legbar x Crele pendesenca hens that lay amazing eggs. I also have some Pita Pinta chickens that lay a nice cream colored egg.
Summer of 2014
4. Which members of your flock, past and present, stand out for you and why?
Three Roosters, A silver gray Dorking named Corwin, Louie a marans and a Marraduna Basque named Seiji. I was able to keep Corwin for several months and he was able to give me a batch of fertile eggs to hatch and it was great to be able to experience what a good Rooster can do for a flock.
Cowin
Seiji was like a big pet. He would ride around on my Shoulder during chicken chores each day. He went to live in the East Bay when he was too old to stay here.
Seiji
Loui was a hero—he was a black copper maran and went to be a flock master for chiqita in San Jose. He sacrificed himself to protect the flock—against a Bob Cat!
Louie with my Oldest DD
5. What was the funniest (chicken related) thing(s) that happened to you in your years as chicken owner?
I have a Dorking cross, one of Corwin’s babies that is a bit of a cook. I was leaning over the side of the coop looking to check on eggs and she was sitting there with a dazed look on her face. Her eyes focused and realized that I was there looking at her, let out a big bok and bolted out of the nest box! Of course she was right back looking for treats a minute later….
6. Beside chickens, what other pets do you keep?
We have a Dog, three cats and a bunny rabbit. The cats own the house but do not bother the chickens. Jasper is a Main coon cat and weighs 25 pounds. He is very long and can drink from the sink standing up!
Jasper and an RIR
7. Anything you'd like to add?
BYC is such a great place to hang out and talk chicken with people that understand what a joy they are. Friends and Family often get a glazed look to them when the chicken topic come up. That does not happen here.
Thanks BYC!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/u/84712/ronott1
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.
Ron with Pepe, a Pita Pinta Rooster
I have been married for 32 years and have three daughters. The oldest is 26 and has just moved out for the second time- hopefully for good this time! My middle daughter is a divorced Army wife and is back home now too. My youngest Daughter is 15 and a straight A student at Pioneer High School in Woodland.
My Wife is a Spanish Teacher in Davis California and I work for the University (UCDavis) as a Computer support person. I have been there since 1996. Previously I worked as a Meat Clerk for Safeway. I also have a Master’s degree in Guidance counseling.
2. Why and when did you start keeping chickens?
We had chickens growing up and it was my job to feed them and collect the eggs. We lived on 40 acres that had a prune orchard on 15 acres. The house was set into the first rows from the street. When I was 17 we moved to a City that did not allow chickens and learned quickly to hate store bought eggs.
Flash forward to 1992 when we moved to Woodland where 6 hens are allowed…then flash forward to 2010 and getting chickens at our own place. Wow what a difference having in town compared to the prune orchard! I had to re learn things and learn new things from my child hood. Poultry science has come a long ways and so have poultry problems and illnesses. BYC is such a great place to learn!
3. Which aspect(s) of chicken keeping do you enjoy the most?
Hatching them of course! It is the most amazing thing to do and see. I am hosting the NYD hatch a long again this year and it is so much fun to help those new to hatching. Many of them do not know what is in store for them.
I have been hatching for a local breeder to help improve Silver gray Dorkings and New Heritage Delaware’s. Living in the City I cannot keep the numbers of chickens that need to be hatched each year to improve a breed so it has been my way of helping out with heritage chickens.
SG Dorking chicks
Eggs are also very important to me. I love eating them and I love the different colors. I have been working on getting blue, green and dark brown layers. I have Partridge Penedesenca, Arkansas blue egg layers and Cream Legbar x Crele pendesenca hens that lay amazing eggs. I also have some Pita Pinta chickens that lay a nice cream colored egg.
Summer of 2014
4. Which members of your flock, past and present, stand out for you and why?
Three Roosters, A silver gray Dorking named Corwin, Louie a marans and a Marraduna Basque named Seiji. I was able to keep Corwin for several months and he was able to give me a batch of fertile eggs to hatch and it was great to be able to experience what a good Rooster can do for a flock.
Cowin
Seiji was like a big pet. He would ride around on my Shoulder during chicken chores each day. He went to live in the East Bay when he was too old to stay here.
Seiji
Loui was a hero—he was a black copper maran and went to be a flock master for chiqita in San Jose. He sacrificed himself to protect the flock—against a Bob Cat!
Louie with my Oldest DD
5. What was the funniest (chicken related) thing(s) that happened to you in your years as chicken owner?
I have a Dorking cross, one of Corwin’s babies that is a bit of a cook. I was leaning over the side of the coop looking to check on eggs and she was sitting there with a dazed look on her face. Her eyes focused and realized that I was there looking at her, let out a big bok and bolted out of the nest box! Of course she was right back looking for treats a minute later….
6. Beside chickens, what other pets do you keep?
We have a Dog, three cats and a bunny rabbit. The cats own the house but do not bother the chickens. Jasper is a Main coon cat and weighs 25 pounds. He is very long and can drink from the sink standing up!
Jasper and an RIR
7. Anything you'd like to add?
BYC is such a great place to hang out and talk chicken with people that understand what a joy they are. Friends and Family often get a glazed look to them when the chicken topic come up. That does not happen here.
Thanks BYC!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/u/84712/ronott1
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
