@bgmathteach
Come say hello to @bgmathteach who comes to us from Massachusetts and has been a member since August 2021.
Come say hello to @bgmathteach who comes to us from Massachusetts and has been a member since August 2021.
1. Tell us a bit more about yourself. And is there a story behind your member name?
I am a math teacher at a community college, hence my user name. I teach, do academic advising, tutoring, etc...and am presently taking a Veterinary Assistant program and will be taking the National Certification exam in a week - that is my retirement plan. Very few veterinarians in my area will see poultry, so I initially got the idea to enroll so that I could learn more about medically caring for my flock, but also in the hopes that if I worked for a vet, I could convince them to see a sick bird - or at least do a fecal cloat or something for me!
2. Why and when did you start keeping poultry?
I started keeping poultry in 2014 0r 15. Initially it was for the eggs, thinking I would hate chickens (my only experience previously with chickens was when I was 5 or 6, my parents took in some old hens (2) from my grandparents when they had to move - and those were mean old bitties!)
3. Which aspects of poultry keeping do you enjoy the most?
All of it? (well, except maybe spring and fall clean-out of the run
.I love the curiosity of my hens, and their constant desire to be able to free range. I like to cuddle with the few that are cuddly, but enjoy just watching them scratch, explore, collapse in a sunny spot to sunbathe, or dig vigorously for that next worm or grub.
My ducks are just plain old the comedians of the poultry world - it is fun to watch them splash and play in the water - and even funnier to hear their excited quacks when they hear me pouring water into their duck bath each morning - they get so excited over something so simple and basic - we should take a cue from them!
And my Geese - I got a mated pair to help protect my chickens & ducks from hawks and foxes when free ranging. They sort of do - but they are better just at alerting me to where the fox may be. That said, the boy is super sweet for 8. months of the year! I know 2 weeks before my goose (Delilah) comes into lay in Feb. that she is getting ready because my Gander (Sampson) starts getting super protective and hissy. Then, in late May or early June when she is done laying for the season, he reverts back to his super sweet self! They don't know their names, but when I call 'Here Gee-gees'. they know to come running because I have some greens for them - it is funny to watch a goose run flat out and hear their excited honks!
4. Which members of your flock, past and present, stand out for you and why?
Sir Lancelot and my dear, sweet Rosie. When I got my first batch of chicks, it was a mix of a couple of different breeds, all straight run. (Barred Rocks, Partridge Rocks, and Light Brahmas). My initial intent was to keep the girls and process the boys - hoping for 7-8 girls from the mix.
Well, I did, surprisingly, get a 50-50 mix, but this one male, a Light Brahma, would always hop up on the door threshold each morning and afternoon when I went into the brooder to replenish food, water, change bedding, and generally just check on them. He was such a sweetie and craved attention.... I thought I would name him after a Knight of the round table...and it became clear it should be 'Sir Lancelot' when he hit his hormonal stage, LOL.
My sweet Rosie was a Partridge Rock. She was super smart & independent. Not one for cuddles, but she did always like to hang around me and 'chat' when I was outdoors. She was the head hen, and was a strong but benevolent leader (except for when I was working in the garden - if anyone else tried to get into the freshly turned dirt (i.e. eat HER worms), they got a severe head peck reprimand!!!). Rosie would start crying out the minute I drove into the yard from work - I SWEAR she was saying "let me out, out, out, out" as that is exactly what it sounded like! Despite having access to 12'X24' pen, plus 32 square feet under their coop and the coop proper - for only 8 chickens - she wanted OUT! to free range - and she was going to let me know that under no circumstances would she be willing to settle for anything BUT 'OUT' time!
5. What was the funniest poultry related thing that has happened to you in your years as an owner?
Probably the same thing that has happened to any new chicken owner. I almost had a heart attack when I saw some hens laying on their side convulsing!!! OMG!!!, Only to later discover that they were dust bathing!
6. Beside poultry, what other pets do you keep?
I now have some ducks, geese, a dog and a cat. Each is special in their own way, and each brings me joys unique to them.
7. Anything you'd like to add?
Yes! At the beginning, I said I thought I would hate actually having the chickens. They have taught me - to my surprise - that they are smart, fun, loving creatures. They are SO MUCH SMARTER than I ever imagined, and have lots of personality - I can't ever imagine my life without them. Even as I age, if I have to downsize to bantams and a smaller flock (I have about 100 between the chickens, ducks, and geese now!), I don't think I would be content without at least having a few scratching and pecking - and crowing and cackling - and showing me just what is really important in life!
@bgmathteach
For more information about the interview feature and a complete list of member interviews:
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For more information about the interview feature and a complete list of member interviews:
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Chicken keeping always seems to be a slippery slope. 
