The Evolution of Atlas: A Breeding (and Chat) Thread

[seminolewind]

Just to clarify, what I meant by "it's not a choice", was about the flock catching it. No one chooses for their flock to get infected.

Yes, everything prior to, and afterward are our choice. I agree with whatever anyone chooses to do, as far as the vaccines go. I do, however, think that people should be informed, to help guide them better in their choice. Far too many times, I've heard people commenting they were shocked about the degree they were impacted, because their flock was vaccinated. They were lulled into a false sense of security, thinking the vaccine would at least help, but didn't seem to be doing anything.

As to whether chickens can be bred for immunity, regardless of what one believes, it's already been done, tested, and proven scientifically.

If I were hit, at this point in my life, I would probably cull, and be done with it. With my cancer, I doubt I have the 4 years left that it requires to breed a resistant flock. Had it happened when I first got chickens, or if I were younger, I probably would have bumped up my breeding program, and by now I would have a resistant flock. That's not how things went though. For anyone that chooses to vaccinate, that's fine. At least it proves they are trying to do their best for their flock, and I applaud that. I simply put the truthful information out, so it's a more fully informed decision.

In the meantime, vND has really ramped up in California. I sure do hope they can contain it.

I thought about whether I should get more chicks this year because I wondered if I would outlive them. What an awful way to think- like sometimes "what am I doing this for?" if I die in 10 years or so. Getaclue, I know what you're talking about and hope you go ahead and try for that resistant flock. I am working very hard at enjoying what I'm doing rather than think the end product is the enjoyment.

 

[seminolewind]

Cynthia, those are awesome pictures! My current horse gave birth to a mule. She was a delight but I did have to find her a good forever home.

 

[speckledhen]

I thought about whether I should get more chicks this year because I wondered if I would outlive them. What an awful way to think- like sometimes "what am I doing this for?" if I die in 10 years or so. Getaclue, I know what you're talking about and hope you go ahead and try for that resistant flock. I am working very hard at enjoying what I'm doing rather than think the end product is the enjoyment.

I think about this, too, especially as long as my birds are living. No one is here to check on them for me. I have nightmares about something happening to us and them being locked inside with no food or water and just starving to death, maybe irrational, but still.... I feel like I need to have them all gone by a certain time, but I'll miss them so much. If I at least have a few hatchery girls, they rarely live that long. Sounds awful and that's why I quit buying hatchery birds. None of the direct hatchery hens lived past 6 years old except for Caroline, my Buff Brahma, who almost made it to 10 years old. But, I guess I need to consider that super long lived birds are not really what we need now, horrible as it sounds. Think about it. Hector's daughters, Maddie and Jane, are not a year old yet. They could live another ten years or more if they do like the ones we have now. Tom is 66 years old with me only a few years behind. Maudlin talk, yuck. I'll probably be on BYC at 90 years old, LOL.

 

[getaclue]

seminole, I have not had to deal with it. Had it presented years ago, I would have probably bred for resistance, but it didn't. At this stage of things, if I got hit now with it, I don't think I have enough years left to accomplish it. I would probably cull, and be done with it.

I need to go get some stuff to spray on the garden.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I think about this, too, especially as long as my birds are living. No one is here to check on them for me. I have nightmares about something happening to us and them being locked inside with no food or water and just starving to death, maybe irrational, but still.... I feel like I need to have them all gone by a certain time, but I'll miss them so much. If I at least have a few hatchery girls, they rarely live that long. Sounds awful and that's why I quit buying hatchery birds. None of the direct hatchery hens lived past 6 years old except for Caroline, my Buff Brahma, who almost made it to 10 years old. But, I guess I need to consider that super long lived birds are not really what we need now, horrible as it sounds. Think about it. Hector's daughters, Maddie and Jane, are not a year old yet. They could live another ten years or more if they do like the ones we have now. Tom is 66 years old with me only a few years behind. Maudlin talk, yuck. I'll probably be on BYC at 90 years old, LOL.

I have a 27 year old parrot and no kids to leave her to. She will probably outlive me. So at some point I will have to deal with that. Who will want a bird that yells in my voice, and sometimes says bad words. I'm not too eager to let her go either. She knows too much.

 

[1muttsfan]

Now I want to hear a recording of your bird talking!

I don't mind too much when my hens pass as they get older and are no longer laying. They give me great enjoyment, and I try to give them a good life, but they are not like pets to me. Too many of those already to add chickens too! I usually have one favorite, but that seems like the kiss of death, something always happens to the ones I like the most

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Now I want to hear a recording of your bird talking!

I don't mind too much when my hens pass as they get older and are no longer laying. They give me great enjoyment, and I try to give them a good life, but they are not like pets to me. Too many of those already to add chickens too! I usually have one favorite, but that seems like the kiss of death, something always happens to the ones I like the most

You would think I'm a mean old cussing woman. Wait, some days I am.

I'd rather birds don't live really long either. With age comes problems like blindness, and arthritis. I'd rather they just go one day and leave me out of that whole decision making of when is it an appropriate time to put them out of their old age misery.

I currently have 2 old man roosters who can no longer be in the flock anymore without being beat up. I now feel like I'm holding them prisoner.

 

[speckledhen]

I am up to three broodies; Brandy, Bonnie (my two perpetual Brahma broodies) and Hector's Jill. Finally, MaryJo is healed enough to go back with Atlas's small group so the back pen was free. I yanked both Brandy and Bonnie out of their nests and threw them in the back pen where they cannot steal any eggs or get too comfy right away. There is a file cabinet nest box, but if they try to get in it, I can turn it around so the openings face the wall. Plus, they can get special food so their crops don't get weird from eating only the scratch grains. My Broody Busting Pen is now in service! Jill will have to wait her turn, I guess. She and Bonnie just went broody and on the same day.

 

[seminolewind]

Now I want to hear a recording of your bird talking!

I don't mind too much when my hens pass as they get older and are no longer laying. They give me great enjoyment, and I try to give them a good life, but they are not like pets to me. Too many of those already to add chickens too! I usually have one favorite, but that seems like the kiss of death, something always happens to the ones I like the most

Mine are pets but I understand just enjoying them. I know what you mean about the kiss of death, LOL. Isn't that the truth!

Here's a few pics of the new chicks, Buffs, BR's and Houdans.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Mine are pets but I understand just enjoying them. I know what you mean about the kiss of death, LOL. Isn't that the truth!

Here's a few pics of the new chicks, Buffs, BR's and Houdans.

View attachment 1783408 View attachment 1783410 View attachment 1783412 View attachment 1783418

They are adorable.