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

[speckledhen]

Thanks, Mary. I made that for a backdrop, specifically.

Oh, Jane seems a little more spry today, though they had to spend all day inside due to a cold rain. Probably for the best for her anyway, to be stuck inside and less mobile.

 

[1muttsfan]

 

[speckledhen]

Well, I'm now really worried about Janie. Her color is not good. She is hunched up more than she should be. Maddie isn't at all (it's in the high 30's this morning). Jane's appetite is also off. It ominously reminds me of Hector's sister, Mary, if you recall. At first, I thought she was injured, walking slowly and not fully upright. Then, we found she was bloated. And she was not far from Jane's age, younger actually, I believe. This may be something to do with that line, but no way to know. It also reminds me of Mary because Jane looks a lot like Mary did in the face and comb shape/size, though my memory may be foggy. I hate this! I really like Jane, too, and she and Maddie are my only two young layers.
I remember that Janet Holtman, who created the Delaware line, told me that you never know what surprises will come out when you cross lines, i.e. that thyrogenous dwarf gene in Isaac's group that passed down when I crossed the Stukels with him after the pure Stukel male was killed. They could look good, but be constitutionally weaker, or not look so great, but be stronger in the cross. I'm probably reaching for explanation for a young hen dying like Mary and sadly, maybe her niece, Jane. Everyone else, including Maddie, seems fine.

Last night on the baby monitor, we heard lots of flapping, then my feathered fire alarm, aka Hector, went off. Tom found that Dru had fallen off the roost and was trying to find a corner to sleep in in the dark so he put her back up there. Her hock joint is very stiff on one side and she has a stilted gait so sitting for long periods and then trying to shift her position will make her lose her balance, in spite of having an actual shelf rather than a narrow board as a roost.

 

[getaclue]

Sorry to hear about Jane.

 

[speckledhen]

Well, we thought we'd try the new Walmart pickup service. I get this message before I start shopping, and it's the same at every Walmart within 25 miles of us.

AND, delivery is not available to my address, either. So, whatev....

 

[getaclue]

I've gotten that at times too. Just keep checking. They say, if you're up at midnight, try it then, since it clears out around midnight, and you can get your order in.

 

[1muttsfan]

There are way more people using that service than they had any idea they would ever have, I'm sure.

 

[1muttsfan]

Just in case someone needs a little shot of happy - https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/

 

[speckledhen]

LOL

Christopher Bacon

is

feeling silly.

Lilburn Middle School principal called to say she's working on my application and trying to contact my references (unsuccessfully since all the schools are closed), but they have sent what they have so far up to the county HR office. She kept saying "awesome sauce" which makes me think she's been in that position a tad too long.

 

[speckledhen]

The older son called last night. Seems it's unlikely his restaurant will reopen at all. So he's desperate and out of a job. He has zero $$ put aside, no food reserves, nothing. He may end up declaring bankruptcy as I'm sure many will be doing soon. This ain't pretty, what we are in now, and I am so thankful that I married a man who had foresight at less than 23 years old to make a career of the military so he'd have a pension at the age my older son is now and be able to have a second career after that.

Walmart still has no openings for grocery pickup today or tomorrow. I joined Amazon Prime and made an order, though it will not be delivered for a week or two. They have very limited grocery items that we use, but it's a second alternative and items rotate and pop up all the time. I hope it will be worth the cost of the annual membership. Just another choice.

Gotta get out to the barn. I put Hector in the back pen with Jill and Thea. Zara is not acting right, did not leave the pen when I allowed them to free range, just sat under the roost. I wonder if Hector is being super rough with them. He doesn't want any hens other than his original two so his wish is granted. Jane spent the night in the hospital cage. She doesn't want to eat.