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

[speckledhen]

This one was $184

 

[1muttsfan]

Yes they are not cheap.

 

[speckledhen]

Yes they are not cheap.

It was cheaper than the one we got at the furniture store that broke apart, has heavier-duty components, so if it lasts a couple of years, it's all good!

Wendy may have an issue. She's gone on the nest maybe six or seven times over the past week and no egg. She is six, hatched with Atlas, so there may be some internal issue. She is not bloated, at least.

 

[1muttsfan]

I can't believe it's been 6 years since they hatched.

 

[speckledhen]

I can't believe it's been 6 years since they hatched.

I know! Atlas is an old man now. He was so handsome back then. He's still a sweet old guy, but he is really looking his age. And Druscilla is losing weight and is very arthritic. I'm afraid he'll outlive every hen he has. He has only Dru and Gloria Jean now.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I'm still alive. Just stopping in to say hi.

 

[speckledhen]

I'm still alive. Just stopping in to say hi.

You must have heard me thinking about you yesterday! Glad you're alive!

 

[speckledhen]

So here we go again with dog problems. We have the driveway gate open today for a UPS delivery. A few minutes ago, we walked out onto the deck and my husband said, "There's a German Shepherd in our yard". Sure enough, the Shepherd from next door was standing near the SUV and came all the way to our steps, about 5' from where Bash and his hens had been dustbathing under the deck a couple of hours back and where Hector was most recently with his hens. I had let out another group, but made them stay inside the barn pen, thankfully. The dog ran down the driveway when I picked up a broom and we can't get anyone to answer next door (if that is even the same number Mark Wilson used to have). Someone is cutting the grass so Tom may have to drive down to talk to them.

Yep, need that fencing, but that doesn't change the fact that we have to open the gate for deliveries and dogs seem to have "gate radar".

 

[speckledhen]

Tom called over there. He was feeling out the guy, said the dog was up here on our property, that he did not want to approach a strange dog and that we also have free range chickens here. The answer: "Well, he's down here now".
No apology. So, if I have to shoot that beautiful dog, I won't apologize and I won't tell them, either. Guess they don't really care about the dog to let him run when they're cutting the grass and have no idea where he is. Things happen to roaming dogs. He could have killed Hector or Bash or my old bantams who dustbathe 5' from the steps the dog came up to yesterday.

I ordered a metal sign that I will place just inside the fence at the front of the property, forward of the driveway gate, right where anyone looking up the hill can see it. It will say:

WARNING! WARNING!
Dogs harassing livestock
MAY BE SHOT!

 

[getaclue]

I hope the owner actually does something. Maybe they will, but being put on the spot, talking to a stranger, they weren't sure what to say.

I had 5 Chow Chows. In addition to our chain link fence, I ended up getting shock collars, and invisible fencing with training flags. It took about a month to get them all trained up properly, but once they were trained, they never went off my property.