BYC Member Interview - igorsMistress ** UPDATE 09-24-24 Page 5 **

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N F C said:
** UPDATE on @igorsMistress **

It's been several years since @igorsMistress member interview was first posted; time to catch up!

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Hi all. How time flies and things change! We’ve hatched many eggs in an incubator, had many broodies, and processed birds for meat. We’ve had every possible option in the coop from poop boards and ramps to nest boxes and brooding areas.

We no longer process birds for meat; it’s not a pleasant thing to do but it’s a skill to have in case we need it. We no longer hatch in an incubator as a result and limit the number of eggs and frequency of brooding here. I only allow it if we need to add to the flock.

Our coop is super simple, a pop door and two roosts. Nest boxes are in a smaller coop and consist of a couple of boards leaning against the walls. Other than cleaning wading pools in summer and the ducks pool and buckets, I really don’t have many chores other than wetting down the litter in the big coop from time to time. I find this simplicity gives me more time to enjoy the flock and work in the garden. Two things I love doing.

Over the years we’ve had flock members come and go, and they’ve all been special in one way or another. Elvis was extra special. My son found him all alone and brooded him with a duck that was rejected by the mama. He is very human friendly, but only one of the girls liked him and he beat up the older girls when they wouldn’t let him mate. He and his favorite girl went back to my sons after a couple of cockerels hatched here recently. He knows his name and when called, he comes running. Toss him some treats and he will call the ladies and let them eat first. Quick to alert on aerial predators and an excellent escort. Mr Perfect really, sad I had to let him go but the girls were here first.

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His son Phoenix is our new rooster. He and another roo hatched despite temps in the 110 range during the day and 90’s at night, hence his name. Elvis started out all black like this but without the red patches on his wings so I’m excited to see the manly plumage when Phoenix gets older. He’s still young, but old enough that he doesn’t try to hurt the chicks.

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Other current flock members include Attila, a mean broody and broody all the time. She raises chicks for a couple of weeks and then tires of them. When she’s not broody she runs around with attitude. She’s friendly though and follows me around.
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Henna, seen here with two of the ducks. She doesn't like to sit but helped and then took over raising Phoenix and his brother when Attila was over it. She is the top hen, but not mean about it.
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I traded Elvis and his favorite girl for three ducks from my son. Connor is a fawn and white Runner. Selene, black and white, is a mix of fawn and white Runner and Swedish blue/black Runner mix. Ripley, the gray, black and white, is an Ancona and black Runner/Swedish blue mix. They are so much fun, I highly recommend.
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Finally, the blue crew: Powder, Sky and Blueberry. I think they’re all Australorps, and around six weeks old. This group I brooded in my shade garden which is near where the flock hangs out all day rather than a coop in a separate yard. They saw each other face to face much more often and integration is going very smoothly.
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Love the update @igorsMistress and your cute little flock!
 
BigBlueHen53 said:
Hi, Kim! Had not read your original interview before but now I'm up to date. I love your love story! I always enjoy your comments on BYC and have a lot of respect for your experience and wisdom. Now I feel like I know you better. Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you! And thanks for taking the time to check it out!
 

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