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

[1muttsfan]

The damage a rooster does to a hens back is done with the toenails. You can trim or file the sharp tips down, and that might help some. I would suggest big roosters be separated from smaller, younger pullets until they are big enough to not be crushed.

 

[speckledhen]

The damage a rooster does to a hens back is done with the toenails. You can trim or file the sharp tips down, and that might help some. I would suggest big roosters be separated from smaller, younger pullets until they are big enough to not be crushed.

Yup, it's those toenails, trying to grip for balance. I definitely agree with Mary about older, larger males with younger, smaller pullets being a bad idea. If they're not far apart in size, then usually, it seems that the injuries come from the balancing/gripping, especially when you have young males trying to grab the girl and meeting with some resistance. They are not the most suave males on the planet, that's for sure.


I wish I'd had my camera just now. I'd have caught Athena sitting on the outside roost bar with Hector standing next to her, actually touching her. She was relaxed enough to go to sleep. She seems more inclined to be with Atlas or Hector over poor Apollo.

 

[getaclue]

I make sure the toenails are blunted on inexperienced males, and check their hens over daily for skin damage. Yes, I blunt the toenails on the experienced ones too, but I'm not as concerned about them as I am with the inexperienced ones.

 

[speckledhen]

Caught Hector crowing on video today. Uploading a few other videos, too, but here is the Little Tyrant for you. He was trying to start a fight with the D'Anver rooster, Spike, who was messing around beside me but I missed it because my battery quit on me. You can hear my silly old Ameraucana hen, Snow, doing her caterwauling in the background and the squeaky toy D'Anvers crowing, too.

 

[h2oratt]

I make sure the toenails are blunted on inexperienced males, and check their hens over daily for skin damage.  Yes, I blunt the toenails on the experienced ones too, but I'm not as concerned about them as I am with the inexperienced ones. 

Thank you for the advice. What is the best method to blunt them? I have dog toenail clippers but they are sharp right after I clip them.

 

[getaclue]

This is what I use.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Dremel-4...ary-Tool-7300-PT/202713166?keyword=dremel+pet

I use the round sandpaper tips that are pictured. It's easy to use, holds a charge for me to do all my my flock, and makes quick work of it without leaving jagged edges, like trying to cut them. Just be sure not to hold it onto longer spurs for too long at a time, because the friction causes the nail to get hot.

 

[speckledhen]

This is what I use.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Dremel-4...ary-Tool-7300-PT/202713166?keyword=dremel+pet

I use the round sandpaper tips that are pictured. It's easy to use, holds a charge for me to do all my my flock, and makes quick work of it without leaving jagged edges, like trying to cut them. Just be sure not to hold it onto longer spurs for too long at a time, because the friction causes the nail to get hot.

+1 works great, but you really have to hold the bird perfectly still or you can cut into his leg. It's a 2 person job here.


Athena at 26 weeks old.






And Wendy, Atlas's sister, with her little man, Xander, invading someone else's nests while everyone was loose in the pen.



Another video, again, Snow in the background yelling because she wants attention and she knows I'm in the barn somewhere.

 

[speckledhen]

And a third video. Athena has decided she belongs with Atlas, not Apollo. Poor Apollo. I saw Atlas make a 125' dead run down the hill with murder in his eyes to get Apollo, who jumped 3' in the air and escaped by running into the old pen. If Atlas ever connects with those huge spurs, Apollo is gone. As much as I hate to, I guess I really ought to just let Athena stay and sell off Zara with Apollo. Sigh. I go back and forth and back and forth about it.

 

[1muttsfan]

if you did sell them as a trio, as soon as other roosters are no longer around to distract her she would probably be fine with him

 

[speckledhen]

if you did sell them as a trio, as soon as other roosters are no longer around to distract her she would probably be fine with him

I figure she would be, but my need for young layers as well as the fact that Atlas's hens are aging already makes me think maybe I should keep Athena. But, Tessa is still harassing her, though less while on range than when in the barn pen. Ack, what a pain to decide. May be a moot point if I can't get anyone to buy the pair or the trio. Been trying for literally months now.


Another video, this time of the BRs chasing the Brahmas.