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

[getaclue]

That's thinking outside the box. I notice that Tom is sharing, but Druscilla is hogging the whole thing. She seems pretty content there too. Spraying it down with a hose, then using a spray bottle with a bit of dish soap water, rinsing, and letting it dry in the sun, and no one will ever know she soiled it.

 

[speckledhen]

She didn't mess it up! She was a perfect guest in the hammock. Eventually, she wanted out, though, bless her old lady heart.

 

[speckledhen]

Dru, being 10 years old, is experiencing some issues. Not all my hens have them, but she sure does. Her arthritic legs have basically failed her like they finally did 13 year old Amanda, one out front, one in back and she can't draw that one underneath her. She lays in one spot most of the day and tries to flap her way to be as close to the roost where Atlas and Gloria Jean are at night, but of course, she has to lay on the floor. She cries a lot, too, the only hen I've ever had who showed possible signs of pain. Could also be extreme frustration mixed in there. I knew she had a small cyst or tumor on the top of one of her wings, but today, I found one just before her oil gland, a larger one. She probably has cancer or something, though they could be benign, but soon, I will have to make a decision about my very last pure Stukel Rock hen. Poor Atlas. He started with six hens in the barn and now, he will be down to just 10 yr old Gloria Jean, who is five or six months older than Dru.
The cysts/tumors, a pic of Dru and one of Atlas who was sunbathing on his side, heard something and raised up to listen.
Small wing tumor, then a close up and farther back shot of the other one, the latter for perspective on size.

 

[speckledhen]

These two gladiolus bloomed for the first time since planting well over ten years ago. A bright spot in an otherwise rather bleak year. There must be ten or more of those planted in a row. No bearded iris, though, sadly. Low quality bulbs. And I'm collecting seed from my Black Russian Sunflowers for next year. The chickens are getting to pick at some of the heads. Zara, in particular,loves to do that.

 

[speckledhen]

So, Atlas is down to just one hen with the passing of Gloria Jean last night. Not sure what to do about him. Dru is 100% crippled so he really has no hens now.

In non-chicken news, little surprise while cleaning out a raised bed.... and if you didn't know, these ain't chicken eggs.

 

[h2oratt]

So, Atlas is down to just one hen with the passing of Gloria Jean last night. Not sure what to do about him. Dru is 100% crippled so he really has no hens now.

In non-chicken news, little surprise while cleaning out a raised bed.... and if you didn't know, these ain't chicken eggs.View attachment 2810123

Enjoyed the video. What kind of eggs? Snake

 

[h2oratt]

Sorry about your hen.

 

[speckledhen]

Yep, snake eggs and thanks. We'll miss both Emily and Gloria Jean.

 

[MROO]

So, Atlas is down to just one hen with the passing of Gloria Jean last night. Not sure what to do about him. Dru is 100% crippled so he really has no hens now.

In non-chicken news, little surprise while cleaning out a raised bed.... and if you didn't know, these ain't chicken eggs.View attachment 2810123

So, ya gonna hatch em?

 

[speckledhen]