BYC Member Interview - Nabiki

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N F C said:
@Nabiki

Come say hello to Nabiki! She's been a member since May 2019 and comes to us from California.​


1. Tell us a bit more about yourself. And is there a story behind your member name?
I’m a former IT professional, and I am the co-owner of a small MSP (Managed Service Provider) that we started last year. My last job before this was an IT Instructor at a small college.

I’m Japanese/American and have lived in the same house for over 50 years! I’m moving very soon, so things are a bit crazy right now. I grew up with a very traditional Japanese mother, so I’m definitely a mix of Japanese and American in culture as well as heritage.

I’ve always been a very independent person, and liked the idea of growing my own food. I eat meat, but I always felt a little bad about supporting the commercial meat industry.

About fifteen years ago, my old roommate and I built three raised garden beds. Back then, I brought up the idea of getting a couple of chickens, but he was adamantly against the idea. A little over three years ago, he passed away unexpectedly, and, rather lost, I started thinking about what I wanted to do with my life now that things had completely changed. I decided that I wanted to add eggs and meat to my home food source. The manure would be good for compost and they would eat bugs. Win/win!

My username comes from an old anime called Ranma ½. I wanted to use Kasumi as my handle, but it was always already taken, as was Akane. I ended up using the name of the sister I liked the least, Nabiki, but it’s been my online handle in one form or another for about 25 years now.


2. Why and when did you start keeping chickens or any other poultry you have?
I’m an oddity here. I don’t keep chickens! I did research chickens when I decided that I wanted to keep backyard poultry, but when I started researching, they weren’t for me. They would destroy my garden unless they were enclosed, took a bit too much space, and the city I live in is a bit strict about them.

When I was around eight or ten, my mother had a friend who kept quail. I always wanted an aviary like she had. I had several recipes in my cookbooks that called for quail eggs, but I’d never tried them because finding quail eggs isn’t easy. I decided to start researching quail. Until that point, I didn’t really know much, so I started with basic care, feeding, shelter requirements, etc. The more I learned, the more I realized that quail, specifically coturnix, were my perfect backyard poultry.

Every time I had a question about quail, Google seemed to take me to BYC, so, on May 15, 2019, I joined the forums. Shortly after, I had my incubator and some quail eggs, and away I went! At the end of August, I had my first batch of chicks.


3. Which aspects of poultry keeping do you enjoy the most?
I had no idea when I started raising quail that I would enjoy them so much. My original plan was to keep five or six hens, with the extra boys that I hatched going onto the dinner table. You can guess where that went. (Hint: I have far more than 6 hens)

I think my favourite part is hatching. The chicks are just so darn cute, even if their theme song does seem to be “Dumb Ways to Die.” (Don’t worry, I’m actually pretty good at keeping them alive!)

I also love to cook, so I have to admit that the eggs and meat they provide are very welcome too.

Nabiki’s Food Pictures


4. Which members of your flock, past and present, stand out for you and why?
Coturnix only live two to three years, so I try not to get too attached. I did have a chick from my 3rd hatch who earned the name Goliath. She was the biggest chick of the hatch, and I think the prettiest. She just passed away last month, and I still miss her.


5. What was the funniest poultry related thing that has happened to you in your years as an owner?
I had a bunch of youngsters in a temporary pen, and I didn’t make sure that the pen was level on the ground. There was enough space that they managed a mass escape. The funny part was when I came out with their food the next morning, most of them came running towards me! This is not behaviour that quail are known for.


6. Beside poultry, what other pets do you keep?
I have five cats, three chinchillas, and button quail. When I get to my new place, I plan to add some call ducks, tilapia, and a pair of grey peacock pheasants.


7. Anything you'd like to add?
BYC is a fantastic community. I’m very grateful for all of the people that I’ve met, all that I’ve learned here, and that I’ve had the opportunity to become someone who can pass along what I’ve learned. I’m still amazed at how far I’ve come in the last three years. I’ve even written several articles!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/authors/nabiki.540925/

I’ve been a guest on Coturnix Corner, MyShire, and I have recently started a YouTube channel of my own! Life is strange. I never imagined the direction that my life has taken over the last three years.

Coturnix Corner Video

MyShire video

MerriQuail channel




@Nabiki

For more information about the interview feature and a complete list of member interviews:
introducing-vip-member-interviews.905602​
Click to expand...
Awesome ‘Bee!

Side note: massive prop’s for making the “sushi roll of the letters” - that’s some serious artistic skill!
 
electrycmonk said:
Awesome ‘Bee!

Side note: massive prop’s for making the “sushi roll of the letters” - that’s some serious artistic skill!
Click to expand...
I remember my old roommate being very sceptical about those until I cut the rolls and the letters appeared.

That is one of my most creative sushi projects ever.
 

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