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

[speckledhen]

I soo wanted to have a nice flock again. Just a dozen good birds. I wanted a few English orps. They are so bustly and the tails waddle when they walk. Now I will have to wait until this runs its course. Waiting when you are over 70 is a crap shoot
Thanks for the information. Maybe this fall I could get some eggs from someone. Does anyone know someone with a clean flock of Orps. I would also like some blue or green egg layers. Oh my! I am hopeless. sigh!!!

Gloria Jean, I no longer have Orps (well, I still have Dusty, but she no longer lays), but I do have some beefy Brahmas, some beautiful Partridge, Blue Partridge and one Dark gal. They're huge and gorgeous, with pea combs that are resistant to frostbite. When they begin laying, you're welcome to eggs from those.

If you haven't seen my other thread, here are some photos of them. I have one Partridge male and one Blue Partridge male over two blue Partridge girls, two Partridge girls and one Dark girl. They qualify as rare and poufy and huge, I'd say. They are 16 weeks old tomorrow.

 

[1muttsfan]

Gloria Jean, one thing I have found out about keeping chickens is that there are many bad things that can happen to them. While it can be discouraging when things go wrong, they are very rewarding in many different ways. Remember that they are short-lived creatures, so don't be too sad about the birds you have lost. They had a good home and a wonderful life.

If you are planning to keep birds only for yourself, and not breed them and pass them on to others, even if it is MS or MG you still should be able to successfully keep birds that can provide you with entertainment, companionship, and eggs. Some may not be as long-lived as they might otherwise be, but that does not mean that their life has not had value.

 

[speckledhen]

Gloria Jean, one thing I have found out about keeping chickens is that there are many bad things that can happen to them. While it can be discouraging when things go wrong, they are very rewarding in many different ways. Remember that they are short-lived creatures, so don't be too sad about the birds you have lost. They had a good home and a wonderful life.

If you are planning to keep birds only for yourself, and not breed them and pass them on to others, even if it is MS or MG you still should be able to successfully keep birds that can provide you with entertainment, companionship, and eggs. Some may not be as long-lived as they might otherwise be, but that does not mean that their life has not had value.

Excellent advice. So true, Mary.

 

[crazyhen]

Your Brahmas are really beautiful. Betsy esp. I have never had that kind of hens. Do they lay well? As you said they are fluffy looking. I doubt I will be up in the hills early enough to hatch the eggs so they would lay the first season. Maybe if you have chicks next Spring I could get a few from you and a Br. too. The one I had earlier was really sweet. The roos not but I loved the hens.

Mary thank you. Yes they have all had value and brought me much pleasure.

 

[holm25]

GJ I am sorry to hear of these problems! I hope you get this figured out! Best of luck to you!

 

[speckledhen]

Your Brahmas are really beautiful. Betsy esp. I have never had that kind of hens. Do they lay well? As you said they are fluffy looking. I doubt I will be up in the hills early enough to hatch the eggs so they would lay the first season. Maybe if you have chicks next Spring I could get a few from you and a Br. too. The one I had earlier was really sweet. The roos not but I loved the hens.

Mary thank you. Yes they have all had value and brought me much pleasure.

I have so far only had two hatchery Brahma hens. I still have my Buff who is almost 10 years old. Up until they were about 5 years old, they were excellent layers, not as good as my Rocks, but probably 5 eggs per week. Caroline stopped laying about 3 years ago. I can't say about this line yet.

GJ, your males were from the Good Shepherd line, right? My Stukel-descended males are ALL non-aggressive so far. I have Atlas and his son, Apollo, who is now 27 weeks old. Both are sweet as they can be. Atlas's sire, Rex, was a very good boy, too. I always say I cannot guarantee 100% on behavior since this is an animal, but I can almost guarantee that the males from that line would be a pleasant change from what you had previously. I've not seen an aggressive male from this bunch-at least, no one has reported to me and none that have grown out here have been, either.

I now have a second line, uphilljill's, which is mostly Fred's Hens with some Guy Roy in the mix, and I can't speak to those yet. Hector, the one I kept, is 18 weeks old. He was very early to physically mature so his brain had to catch up to his body and he had to get some "aversion therapy" for awhile, but he has been quite pleasant the last three weeks or so. He seems quite intelligent and able to learn what he shouldn't do, but I can't give him the complete stamp of approval just yet, mostly because he's not fully mature.

I'll have hatching eggs before I have chicks, most likely, unless I have a broody in the spring that I put eggs under. Some of my girls have to pass on before I can add more birds and they are all so old, I have to think I am going to lose a couple in the next six months to a year. You know Gypsy-she will turn 9 in November.

ETA: Story about Gypsy-When Gloria Jean was here years ago, Gypsy was going through a very bad molt and was completely bald, like a vulture. She came up to GJ and kept tugging on her pants leg to be picked up, because, for those who know Gypsy, she must be held and carried around like a shoulder purse. She molted like that twice and hasn't been bald since, thank goodness, but it was a sight at the time. She is the most lovable hen, but then, I have a few like that.

 

[speckledhen]

Hector, Mary, Jill and Thea are 18 weeks old today. Hard to believe, especially since Hector STILL has no tail, ack! And that little snot wing-dropped at me this a.m. He hasn't done that in weeks. Good grief. Two steps back.
*see new Brahma pictures here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ridge-x-partridge-plus-dark/250#post_17579449

Took a couple from above so you can see how wide Hector is. His chest could be rounder, but he's looking pretty good.



the girls were running away, but here is Mary, at least. She's gorgeous.

Whenareyagonnagetatail????



And Apollo and Zara are 27 weeks. Here's sweet Apollo, no idea where Zara was, probably with Hector somewhere.




And Athena, who is 29 weeks old.

 

[MistyMountain]

GJ, I am so sorry to hear about your flock. I hope things clear up for you. Don't lose hope  I understand your love for the mountains. I'm a transplant, having grown up in the flat farmlands of WI. I wouldn't trade my mountain view for anything. It's OK to let some things go back to nature… there is beauty there, too. I don't have orps, but have great hope for these mottled javas next year. I'll share, if you are interested.

Cyn, Hector and Co. are beautiful as ever. Maybe he needs a little Rogane to jumpstart that tail of his! Lol! It baffles me that you have not had any good leads on Apollo. I'd have scooped him right up if we lived closer. Ah, the nice clean lines!

Almost time for me to find homes for the chicks here--- EE at 10 weeks and Welsummers at 6 weeks. Many were spoken for, but that fell through. I'm sure once I post them, they will go fast. Not looking forward to dealing with random people, though.

Eta, to brighten your Wednesday,we had a beautiful mountain view this morning.

 

[speckledhen]

GJ, I am so sorry to hear about your flock. I hope things clear up for you. Don't lose hope

I understand your love for the mountains. I'm a transplant, having grown up in the flat farmlands of WI. I wouldn't trade my mountain view for anything. It's OK to let some things go back to nature… there is beauty there, too. I don't have orps, but have great hope for these mottled javas next year. I'll share, if you are interested.

Cyn, Hector and Co. are beautiful as ever. Maybe he needs a little Rogane to jumpstart that tail of his! Lol! It baffles me that you have not had any good leads on Apollo. I'd have scooped him right up if we lived closer. Ah, the nice clean lines!

Almost time for me to find homes for the chicks here--- EE at 10 weeks and Welsummers at 6 weeks. Many were spoken for, but that fell through. I'm sure once I post them, they will go fast. Not looking forward to dealing with random people, though.

Eta, to brighten your Wednesday,we had a beautiful mountain view this morning.

Love the mists over the mountains, don't you? Gorgeous photo. Need that as my computer background!

Hector needs Rogaine, haha!

 

[1muttsfan]

No mountain view here, but I am a water girl so love my morning commute