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

[crazyhen]

Cyn, I am so sorry you are going through this. GOLDEN YEARS, my foot. This yr. almost killed me. Tooth infection and meds for two months=my diabetes completely out of control=mental cloud =more diabetic issues. Heart problems etc. Screamming!!!!!!!!!!!! Now with a new Dr. my diabetes is actually under control. Whew! That was a bad year. I am coming out of the cloud and the cardiovascualr spasms seem to be under control again. Now with 9 older hens left I want to add a few good layers. My kitty of 15 yrs. died and I still look for her but feel like I am just not able to take on the respondsibility at this time. So yes I can feel for you and your hubby. Hopefully this year will be better. Be careful our clay soil in the mtns is slick. How is my naked lady that I hugged when there? She was so sweet.

 

[speckledhen]

Cyn, I am so sorry you are going through this. GOLDEN YEARS, my foot. This yr. almost killed me. Tooth infection and meds for two months=my diabetes completely out of control=mental cloud =more diabetic issues. Heart problems etc. Screamming!!!!!!!!!!!! Now with a new Dr. my diabetes is actually under control. Whew! That was a bad year. I am coming out of the cloud and the cardiovascualr spasms seem to be under control again. Now with 9 older hens left I want to add a few good layers. My kitty of 15 yrs. died and I still look for her but feel like I am just not able to take on the respondsibility at this time. So yes I can feel for you and your hubby. Hopefully this year will be better. Be careful our clay soil in the mtns is slick. How is my naked lady that I hugged when there? She was so sweet.

Hi, Gloria Jean, my friend. Your namesake is completely healed up and laying, if you can believe it. I had her pegged for that Great Roost in the Sky for months. And the "naked lady", Gypsy, is wonderful! She is 8 1/2 yrs old and is currently laying, that sweet old thing. I love that hen beyond words. She never got that bald again, had more normal molts, thank goodness! She sure looked like a vulture, didn't she?

I wish we'd get the barn done and everyone moved in. As soon as DH gets the list done and we can go to Lowe's and order our stuff and have it delivered, we'll be starting work on the inside. It will be SO, SO much easier with all birds in one big building!

 

[crazyhen]

I am down on the coast now. I wish I could be up there. Life throws you all these problems but still we love our hens. They are my therapy. I still have a hen I got right after I started out too. She is a 1/2 english blue orp. from Waynesville. She might lay a few eggs this coming yr. but she stays and my 5yr old mix black orp and copper maran stays. Her name is Sassy, well earned believe me , but fun. she actually takes spells of laying that pretty dark egg of hers. I can not kill my older hens which is a problem for me. I want new blood for eggs and I only can transfer so many at a time down to the coast and back twice a year. Ugh! I wish I could live there in my cove all year.My beautiful hill, streams and trees. sigh. I have got to accept this moving back and forth but I don't like it at all. Your place is really pretty now. Your work is paying off.

 

[speckledhen]

Atlas and the crew on a Spring Day in Winter, plus pics of several of my old ladies, all 9 years old now. Hey, @crazyhen , your namesake is in the pics, Miss Gloria Jean.

 

[holm25]

Beautiful pics!! Those hens and roo are all so pretty!!!

 

[speckledhen]

Beautiful pics!! Those hens and roo are all so pretty!!!

Thank you, Isaiah. I just love Atlas's hens.

The old gals just keep on trucking. Both Amanda, who cannot walk anymore (she thumps along on one leg, using her wings for crutches when she wants to go somewhere), and Gypsy still lay. Amazing. Caroline nor Becca has laid in at least two years, but they seem okay, other than Caroline's pendulous crop which needs some help from time to time to keep food moving along.

 

[holm25]

Do u ever sell hatching eggs Cyn??

 

[speckledhen]

Do u ever sell hatching eggs Cyn??

I do when someone is within driving distance and can pick them up. I used to mail them out all over the country when I had the Blue Orps, but it became not worth the time and energy for what I was making, not to mention, technically, it's illegal, me not being NPIP. You wanting some Atlas babies, Isaiah?

I have two hens who are clucking but are not sitting, both Maretta and now, Dottie is doing it again after recovering from her injury. I'll finally have a chance to see if Lizzie and Tessa's are fertile. I did catch Atlas mating Lizzie. He stepped off, she whirled around with her hackles raised and got in his face. Atlas raised up to his full height, raised his own hackles and she turned tail and ran, LOL. That gal has an attitude!

 

[holm25]

I would love some but cant at the moment. I have some people waiting for chicks and ducklings. I use the money I get from chicks and ducklings for more birds and egg money for feed. I also am going to Zumbrota mn to pick up some very good quality Buckeyes for showing this year.

 

[speckledhen]

I would love some but cant at the moment. I have some people waiting for chicks and ducklings. I use the money I get from chicks and ducklings for more birds and egg money for feed. I also am going to Zumbrota mn to pick up some very good quality Buckeyes for showing this year.

It was just the way you asked, thought you were going to ask me if I'd send you some hatching eggs.

You know, I love Buckeyes' color from having super quality RIRs years ago, and I generally like a pea comb, from having both Ameraucanas and Brahmas, but I think it may be that the Buckeye is one chicken that doesn't photograph that well, that you have to see in person to really love their looks. It's something about the head, I guess, not sure. I think Russian Orloffs were like that for me. I didn't care for them until I saw a pair in person and even though they were just a hatchery pair, they were very handsome birds. They're a true American breed, certainly. Good luck with getting yours, Isaiah.