KIslandGirls
Chirping
- Mar 9, 2022
- 12
- 35
- 56
Hello! I'm Deborah. I was a member about 10 years ago, as a newbie chicken owner in the Southern California high desert. A cross country move and a divorce later I'm in Maryland, on Kent Island, and just agreed to adopt 8 hens in need of a new home.
(1) Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens?
I first got chickens when my ex and I moved to an area with a bit of land and no restrictions. I started with four chicks that I raised, and then moved the surviving members of that group to another house where I added them to an existing flock of 10 resident hens. I originally thought I would perhaps process my older hens who stopped laying for stock -- that idea did not last very long! I have a bit of angst over their rather short life spans and the dearth of vets that will see chickens. I have parrots, and drive them 90 minutes to an avian vet in Virginia, but I cannot see doing that for 8 chickens.
(2) How many chickens do you have right now?
Zero, but I've agreed to adopt 8 year-old hens in need of a new home. If that falls through I'll get four to six chicks or young pullets.
(3) What breeds do you have?
That's a good question. I THINK they are one Buff Orpington, two Barred Rocks, one Brown Leghorn, and four Easter Eggers.
(4) What are your favorite aspects of raising backyard chickens?
Guilt free eggs, and watching them dust bath!
(5) What are some of your other hobbies?
Cooking, jewelry design and fabrication, writing poetry. Does studying Psychology count? I'm working towards a Master's in Counseling Psychology down the road as a retirement career.
(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share.
I've survived a divorce, three surgeries (one major), moving to online teaching, and a move during the pandemic. I teach Astronomy at Anne Arundel Community College in Maryland.
(7) Bonus: How did you find BYC, how long have you known about BYC, and what made you finally join our awesome community?
Back when I first joined it was one of the few forums for backyard poultry. I also wound up as administrator on the Friendly Poultry Group on Facebook which seems to be defunct now. There were, and I assume still are, a lot of very knowledgeable people here and a reasonably friendly atmosphere.
(1) Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens?
I first got chickens when my ex and I moved to an area with a bit of land and no restrictions. I started with four chicks that I raised, and then moved the surviving members of that group to another house where I added them to an existing flock of 10 resident hens. I originally thought I would perhaps process my older hens who stopped laying for stock -- that idea did not last very long! I have a bit of angst over their rather short life spans and the dearth of vets that will see chickens. I have parrots, and drive them 90 minutes to an avian vet in Virginia, but I cannot see doing that for 8 chickens.
(2) How many chickens do you have right now?
Zero, but I've agreed to adopt 8 year-old hens in need of a new home. If that falls through I'll get four to six chicks or young pullets.
(3) What breeds do you have?
That's a good question. I THINK they are one Buff Orpington, two Barred Rocks, one Brown Leghorn, and four Easter Eggers.
(4) What are your favorite aspects of raising backyard chickens?
Guilt free eggs, and watching them dust bath!
(5) What are some of your other hobbies?
Cooking, jewelry design and fabrication, writing poetry. Does studying Psychology count? I'm working towards a Master's in Counseling Psychology down the road as a retirement career.
(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share.
I've survived a divorce, three surgeries (one major), moving to online teaching, and a move during the pandemic. I teach Astronomy at Anne Arundel Community College in Maryland.
(7) Bonus: How did you find BYC, how long have you known about BYC, and what made you finally join our awesome community?
Back when I first joined it was one of the few forums for backyard poultry. I also wound up as administrator on the Friendly Poultry Group on Facebook which seems to be defunct now. There were, and I assume still are, a lot of very knowledgeable people here and a reasonably friendly atmosphere.
So happy you have joined us again.
