@BlindLemonChicken
Come say hello to @BlindLemonChicken who comes to us from Utah and has been a member since November 2014.
Come say hello to @BlindLemonChicken who comes to us from Utah and has been a member since November 2014.
1. Tell us a bit more about yourself. And is there a story behind your member name?
I have kept chickens in the suburbs and on an urban farm before moving into a more rural area and much prefer rural chicken keeping. The story behind my name is that I came up with it while trying to find solutions here for my mostly blind hen, Weezy. I’ve always liked the blues so it’s a play on Blind Lemon Jefferson’s name.
2. Why and when did you start keeping poultry?
I started with two Salmon Faverolles a friend gave me after she gave me some eggs. I fried one of those next to a store bought egg and the rest is history.
3. Which aspects of poultry keeping do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy watching their flock dynamics and seeing them adapt to their environment. Also watching a broody hatch chicks.
4. Which members of your flock, past and present, stand out for you and why?
My first two chickens, Salmon Faverolles Babs and Marie, because they were great examples of their breed and ran a tight ship on our urban farm. Next my Speckled Sussexes who I nursed back to health from a bad case of neglect and coryza who went on raise chicks and run the flock. Currently I am enamored with my roosters—a Naked Neck mongrel named Magnificent Muraco and a blue-breasted brown Leghorn named Tito Santana. All my roosters get named after 80s and 90s wrestlers because I also love that era of wrestling. I’m saving my favorite wrestler names for really standout guys.
5. What was the funniest poultry related thing that has happened to you in your years as an owner?
Not really funny at the time, but once Weezy played dead after a suburban raccoon attack (I actually scared the thing off her) and when I went out to collect her body with a trash bag she sprang to life and starting flapping like a maniac. I about jumped out of my skin at 2 in the morning and woke the neighbors.
6. Beside poultry, what other pets do you keep?
I also have a dog who is none too bright but manages to keep out of trouble for a few days a month. She doesn’t go after chickens so she is ok.
7. Anything you'd like to add?
After keeping chickens in backyard settings I am really excited about starting a landrace of mongrel chickens that are more self-sufficient. I am basing them on game hens, Leghorns, EEs and Buckeyes but Naked Neck Turkens are my favorite breed so I will be happy if Muraco manages to further his genes even though he is the subordinate rooster.
I love BYC because it gives my husband’s ear a break from what he calls “as the coop turns.” Regular people aren’t usually as much fun as chicken people
Duchess with her chicks
Muraco being magnificent
Tito standing around looking pretty
General shenanigans (RIP Fanny/Meabh the Flarry Eyed Gray)
@BlindLemonChicken
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Thanks for the entertainment!
