@SimpleJenn
Come say hello to Jenn who comes to us from Michigan and has been a member since August 2023.
Come say hello to Jenn who comes to us from Michigan and has been a member since August 2023.
1. Tell us a bit more about yourself. And is there a story behind your member name?
Hi I'm Jenn! I am a stay-at-home mom here in west Michigan. My husband and I moved out to the country to let our kiddo grow up "feral in the woods" like we did. I prefer the simple life, thus Simple Jenn. I love chickens, gardening, video games, crochet, and cooking. I'm homeschooling my kiddo and she's passionate about chickens, dinosaurs, and playing!
2. Why and when did you start keeping poultry?
As a kid my family raised meat chickens and I was always out there with them. My mom tells stories of me sitting there reading out loud to them. I've been wanting my own "permanent" flock ever since. We couldn't have them in the city so when we moved out, they were top of the priority list. So in 2023 we got our first four chicks and the chicken math grew from there! We did have a horrific full loss in fall 2024 and had to restart in February 2025. We have been extremely careful to keep everyone healthy since then.
3. Which aspects of poultry keeping do you enjoy the most?
I love watching them, seeing how they interact with each other. I have had some cuddly chickens in the past which is nice, but honestly just looking at them is so calming. They all have such personalities!
I'll say, my least favorite is actually the incubation and chick stages! I'd rather have a broody hen any day!
4. Which members of your flock, past and present, stand out for you and why?
I've had a few that stuck with me. My original 6 birds (Shep, Ash, Liara, Kasumi, Samara, and Morinth) were so very sweet and taught me how to keep birds. Ric Flair, Bab Ross, and Versace were my first polish who made me fall in love with the breed.
Currently, I have NavyBeans who successfully brooded four babies at 5 months old, she's my favorite bird. Her sister Delft, I brought her back from the brink of death and she has also raised four beautiful babies.
My head rooster, Riddick, is so polite and has a heavy-metal crow that matches his pitch black appearance.
And Marble. I got him to hold onto for a breeder for a few months, and he was a perfect gentleman during his time here. I credit Marble's influence on why Riddick is such a gentlerooster. He's a silver-laced Polish and the most handsome rooster I've ever seen. I still ask his owner for updates (he recently had chicks hatch!) I plan on getting eggs next year to raise my own Marble children.
5. What was the funniest poultry related thing that has happened to you in your years as an owner?
I had a Bresse cockerel named Breezy who couldn't figure out how to woo the ladies. So he had a passionate love affair with his planter pot girlfriend, Bucketina. He eventually figured it out but he'd still visit his bucket on occasion.
6. Beside poultry, what other pets do you keep?
I have a Pomeranian dog and a mealworm colony.
7. Anything you'd like to add?
This site has been so helpful with my poultry keeping experience! And I have met some very kind people here as well. I'm currently keeping two flocks, which has been very fun.
Pictures time!
My original six birds. They were so cute and little!
My favorite picture of Ric Flair
Versace was so handsome
Bab Ross, she was the sweetest bird.
Breezy and Bucketina
Majestic Mr. Marble
my favorite picture of Cinnabun and her fluffy bum!
Riddick, named because he's pitch black
Delft with her "wing gunners"
And finally, Fenix my pomeranian
@SimpleJenn
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I just adore your flock, they are all so beautiful! 
Isn't it grand to live in a rural setting? I couldn't live any other way.
I'm so glad you finally were able to move out to a rural area and fulfill your dreams of keeping chickens. I see you also enjoy polish. They are kooky funny birds. I enjoy just chicken watching too. It's a calming way to spend your time. Your Pomeranian is so adorable, and I'm jealous. I've always wanted one.
