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

[speckledhen]

Wow, you worked your tail feathers off today. I'm sorry about Dottie. I hope you are able to find the cause of her distress, and help her.

I'm sure that she was hurt by Atlas, unintentionally, of course, but he's a big, strong rooster, she is mild-mannered and a vulnerable target. She has noticeable feather damage whereas the others do not and she was clucking for a few days, meaning she was trying to avoid being mated, which may have added to her injury when he was insistent in his attempts. She is obviously in pain on her right side, maybe hyperextended that leg when she was smashed to the ground by him. I hope she can recover. I just love that hen and I'd rather lose Atlas himself than her.

 

[speckledhen]

Dottie is much better today! She's standing a lot more, not panting, even eating again! She walks very slowly, obviously cannot go back to her rooster for quite some time, but I moved her below to the broody pen where she seems comfy and at ease, having raised so many babies in that pen below our late Zane's cage. She even wandered out and was pecking around on the ground when I left the door open for her. I think she will be okay.

I got a tub of dried mealworms at Lowe's and she refused them at first so I put them in her bowl sprinkled over her layer pellets/13-grain scratch mix and came back and caught her eating them. I'm so relieved! Leg injuries take awhile to heal so she absolutely cannot have Atlas jump her for at least 3-4 weeks, provided, of course, she continues to improve.

 

[1muttsfan]

Yay!!

 

[speckledhen]

Carly is also improved. I think the ten days of drier weather we're heading into might be a huge boon to both of them, though we will have cold nights. I have a heat lamp on Dottie because of her injury.

 

[crazyhen]

I am soo glad they are doing better. I am looking forward to the dryer and cooler weather. My hens are on strike still only two are laying , a del. ( dotty), and suzy my Jaerhon. I love her dearly. I hope it dries off quickly for you.

 

[speckledhen]

I have a few old hens laying, one bantam and a couple of 2 yr olds. Still waiting for one pullet to lay. Lizzie lays but I don't think her eggs are fertile. She doesn't squat for Atlas and I don't see a bullseye so far. She waits until 38 weeks to lay and then, she won't do what's necessary to give me any chicks. Bad Lizzie.

 

[1muttsfan]

Good news about the girls.

Happy New Year all!

 

[holm25]

I am glad Dottie is doing well!!! Lizzie Lizzie Lizzie... You have such a handsome roo with you..... Maybe she doesn't like his personality?? Maybe she needs a bad boy or a classy guy??

 

[speckledhen]

I am glad Dottie is doing well!!! Lizzie Lizzie Lizzie... You have such a handsome roo with you..... Maybe she doesn't like his personality?? Maybe she needs a bad boy or a classy guy??

Maybe she wants a more exotic guy? Maybe she should have one with a beard. You know how some gals go for guys with beards, LOL. Darn it, I rehomed all my bearded ones, except the D'Anvers. And that cross, even if possible, I'm don't even want to think about.

 

[holm25]

LOL!!

I am getting chicks early this year!! I am picking up 10 B/B/S standard show quality Cochin chicks and 10 show quality Bantam Salmon Faverolles at the end of January so I have plenty of birds to pick to from for showing. They are all coming from Theri Voss AKA Minniechickmama.