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

[speckledhen]

I let three of Atlas's hens out with Wynette and the four 9 wk old kids. Boy, those little males think they're all that and a box of cracker jacks! My #2 went right up to Lizzie and flared up in her face. Of course, he got his butt kicked (ever so slightly) and then Wynette came sauntering along to put the fear of mama into Lizzie, but Liz knew her place. He did it to Gloria Jean, who dropped that shoulder until Wynette came up and did the same and then, GJ was outta there, pronto! In fact, not one of those hens approached the chicks and did nothing until the chicks got in their faces. It went very smoothly. Druscilla is the only one who has not met up with the broody version of Wynette and the four amigos.

Here they are today. It could be my imagination but I think the largest male, in addition to a comb issue, has a slightly droopy wing carriage. The original Stukel male had only one flaw, that wing carriage, which I have often seen in those super finely barred males.
















And Ida's pair today. The male is filling out better than I thought he would, but that pullet is a tiny girl.

 

[holm25]

Nobody messes with her babies! LOL!! Beautiful birds u have there Cyn! You're right #1 looks like his wings is droopy compared to #2?

 

[speckledhen]

Nobody messes with her babies! LOL!! Beautiful birds u have there Cyn! You're right #1 looks like his wings is droopy compared to #2?

Thank you! And thanks for confirming that you see it, too. I noticed it the other day and I don't think it's just when he's making a turn or something like that. Definitely, it's his Uncle Rex coming through in his genetics. His grandpa Rex, Atlas's sire, did not have that issue. If he could inherit something, too bad it was that! It's a moot point anyway, with his comb issue. I fear he'll be someone's dinner if they can't see past that to make him a free range rooster, which he's well suited for, I think. He's very calm and smart and mild-mannered. I realize sometimes, it's just a rooster's lot in life to be dinner, but he's easy to love and someone needs to get him SOON!

 

[1muttsfan]

I agree about the wing carriage, you can see it in every shot.

 

[speckledhen]

I agree about the wing carriage, you can see it in every shot.

Yup, so it's a definite. At first, I guessed I didn't really notice it, them being super active babies but now that they are so much larger and I've been really watching them closer, it's quite obvious that it is a flaw he has. The others don't seem to have that, not that I've especially noticed, but I'll be looking for it more as time goes on. Atlas doesn't have a droopy carriage, though it could maybe be a smidge more tucked up than it is. Male #1's carriage is most definitely a holdover from Rex #1, see?

 

[speckledhen]

New photo of #3. He's really beefing up, weight-wise, but he still, from above, seems more narrow than the #2 guy.



And Atlas's lineup. He was back with Wynette today, but I put the chicks in their pen before I let Atlas out with the hens. He was very happy to see her, of course, but wasn't as insistent as I thought he'd be. He was flirting a lot, though! She did squat a couple of times so maybe I can slowly get her back with the flock and eventually, get Ida and her pair into the barn.

I may put the chicks in the other coop, at least the ones I am not going to keep. I have to figure out what will happen when I have chicks that must get out of the house, with the BRs due to hatch in less than two weeks and shortly after that, Brahmas hatching! Will have to play all that by ear.


L to R: Lizzie, Dru, Gloria Jean & Tessa

 

[1muttsfan]

I saw your video of Ike on a thread about a Delaware cockerel, my wasn't he a sweetie!

I like the littlist guy's expression, he has a nice eye

 

[speckledhen]

I saw your video of Ike on a thread about a Delaware cockerel, my wasn't he a sweetie!

I like the littlist guy's expression, he has a nice eye

I miss Isaac so much. He was just the best. My husband was so fond of him, too. He'd even pull on DH's pants to be picked up occasionally. Such a love.

The little guy is pretty round, bigger at his age than his sister, for sure. They both run straight to me when I come outside to see if I have something to give them. Ida can't keep up, LOL.

 

[speckledhen]

Atlas. Helping. He thinks he is, anyway. You see how short his back is and his barring leaves a lot to be desired, but he was the only male in that hatch. He does, with those hens, produce mostly good chicksters, and of course, he's super sweet. I need to cut the ends off his spurs. They stick straight out.






And my precious little Xander. I need to cut about 2" off his very curved spurs. I have no idea how he can sit down.

 

[speckledhen]

As expected, I removed the #15 egg from the incubator. No development, detached air cell. Today is Day 12 and as far as I know, 14 eggs are still going normally.


My Brahma eggs are being were mailed today from NY! YEA! I have pulled out my other incubator and it's clean and ready to go as soon as we get the wafer in. Sadly, not a pre-set one, but it's hatched plenty of chicks in its day. I like to do the actual hatch in the Genesis because of the big picture window. The old one has the two little windows.