@NanaK
Come say hello to @NanaK (Kathy) who has been a member since January 2014 and comes to us from North Carolina.
Come say hello to @NanaK (Kathy) who has been a member since January 2014 and comes to us from North Carolina.
1. Tell us a bit more about yourself. And is there a story behind your member name?
I am from a small town and love spending time outside. I enjoy reading, growing flowers and vegetables, canning and freezing, fishing and of course raising chickens. Hubby and I bought rural property about 32 years ago near where we both were raised. We will soon celebrate our 38th wedding aniversary. We have an adult daughter and one grandson who is 18.
As for my member name, grandson calls me Nana and K is for Kathy.
2. Why and when did you start keeping poultry?
Keeping poultry was my husbands idea at first. I have always been the one who takes care of any animals we've had but I never had birds of any kind. I was raised around chickens but they were not my responsibility. I told him I didn't really want a bunch chickens.
A few years went by and I was home schooling my grandson. I was again asked about getting chickens. I think they got together on this. My grandson said, "Nana, raising chickens would make a fun home school project!" I caved right then and started doing research and we built a small coop and run out of mostly repurposed materials.
I (the one who feeds, waters, cleans) was getting chickens. lol
It wasn't long before we had 4 Buff Orp chicks. We later found out 3 were cockerels. Rehomed 2 cockerels and purchased 8 more pullets of different breeds.
Less than one year in and we need a bigger coop! So we started on this one. Then the greenhouse beside it!
We rarely get snow. As we started building, guess what happened? It was so cold we kept a fire barrel burning while we worked.
So now we have this.
Later we built one more smaller coop and a grow out pen. Cause why not?
We have been keeping chickens about 11 years and now we have 18 but have had as many as 35 or so. I have to keep hubby in check or we would be over run with chickens, turkeys, ducks, goats and who knows what else. I love animals so it all works out.
3. Which aspects of poultry keeping do you enjoy the most?
I really enjoy everything involved with keeping chickens. I can't believe I waited so long. It is relaxing just to sit and observe them. I especially love to watch a broody care for her babies or sitting by the incubator watching them hatch. So sweet!
4. Which members of your flock, past and present, stand out for you and why?
So hard to choose!
Two would be Elwood and Dixie. Elwood was a Marans mix. He's passed on now. I had him for 7 years and do miss him. He was a good rooster and took good care of his ladies. His main lady was Dixie, a Cream Legbar. She hatched him from another hen's egg. As Elwood grew up and became flock master, he was always partial to Dixie. They roosted side by side. When Dixie was broody he always visited her and the chicks.
I will never forget my boy Elwood. I still have Dixie. She is 10 years old and a special girl too. She even gave me a few pretty blue eggs this year.
5. What was the funniest poultry related thing that has happened to you in your years as an owner?
They are constantly giving me a chuckle and surprises. Last year I had a 9 year old hen go broody. Dot had never been broody in her life. When I kept finding her in the nest I thought she was sick or someone was picking on her. She barely poofed up her feathers when I took her out, looked her over and sent her on her way. I kept an eye on her. She went to roost that night. Next day, she was back to staying in the nest. This time I picked her up, I got the full broody screech, feathers standing on end and a hard peck! I soon found out she was determined. I never dreamed a hen would go broody for the first time at 9 years old. I'm still learning!
6. Beside poultry, what other pets do you keep?
In the past I've had a variety of pets but right now just chickens.
7. Anything you'd like to add?
I am greatful I found BYC before we started our adventure with chickens. I have always found lots of good information here and friendly people. This is the only social media I use.
Thanks to the BYC staff and members who make it a wonderful place to learn and share ideas.
@NanaK
For more information about the interview feature and a complete list of member interviews:
introducing-vip-member-interviews
For more information about the interview feature and a complete list of member interviews:
introducing-vip-member-interviews
They sure do get wrapped around our heart strings. 
Someone I know.
