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

[getaclue]

Wanted to tell you I got my first pullet egg from my trio of pullets that will be 21 weeks tomorrow! Not sure which of the 3 laid it, but it's very exciting (or eggciting?)!

Congratulations! First eggs are always eggciting.

 

[getaclue]

Wanted to tell you I got my first pullet egg from my trio of pullets that will be 21 weeks tomorrow! Not sure which of the 3 laid it, but it's very exciting (or eggciting?)!

Very cool...and I'm jealous! I so need eggs right now! One of the Brahma pullets was sitting in a nest, but they are only 20 weeks old and I don't expect them to lay yet.

Can you give us a possible timetable for when we can see a stamp of approval for Hector??

Not specifically. He's getting closer.

Watt, I think she said Hector is about 22 weeks old. His behaviour has turned around, like it should, so all seems good with that. She will know more about his tail situation over the next 3 to 4 weeks. Other than obvious flaws, and failure to thrive, which puts them in the cull category, with a heritage breed, it takes much more time than with hatchery stock.


I personally have waited until the remaining birds were 26 weeks old before making the final cut on who to keep for breeding. Usually I've not been disappointed by waiting.

Agreed. I need to see him get a tail before I make a final decision. I could keep him or just keep Apollo, who is looking really, really good, and put Jill and Mary in with Apollo so he'd have his two plus two of the other line as well. Thea is probably going to have to go to another group. She has a flaw, plus her smaller size, but I need layers as well as breeders.

This morning, Caroline is going downhill fast. She hasn't eaten in days, just drinks and picks around food. Both she and Becca are dark in the face. It's going to be so odd for poor Amanda, who has never been without her sister, Becca, and pretty much has been with Caroline most of her life as well. Losing two of her friends might send her into a bad grieving period. Not sure who would be head hen after losing both of these. Amanda was second to Caroline and over Becca, but Amanda cannot walk. I'm thinking Gypsy will be head hen. It definitely won't be Tiny or Emily and not likely to be Panda, either. Snow is bossy, but she can barely walk herself and Gypsy picks on her some, too. I'm guessing Gypsy, but she will turn 9 years old next month herself.

We have two graves dug, but I told DH just this morning to dig a third-there's always one you don't expect while you're waiting for one or more you know are passing away soon. Happened to us often. While waiting for my Lt. Brahma's passing, my beloved crippled rooster, Zane, died suddenly in the cage underneath her. He crowed his way out, literally. Just dropped. So, you never know, especially with hens the age of the ones I have.

It's hard to lose old friends. I'm sorry.

 

[GingersHuman]

Definitely tough to see them not doing well as they get older.

 

[speckledhen]

It's hard to lose old friends. I'm sorry.

Definitely tough to see them not doing well as they get older.

Thank you both. Yes, it is. But, we have to remember that Caroline has outlived her hatchery genetics as it is. The Lt. Brahma hen who was in the brooder with her and big Suede died at 5 1/2 years old. We didn't expect Caroline to live as long as she has. Even understanding she was on borrowed time, we still hate to lose her. She has been a wonderful hen, which is why I have the group of Brahmas growing up now.



On a different topic, I made another Kindle cover, this time in this cool glow-in-the-dark Star Wars fabric. No idea why, just had some left from DH's I made awhile ago. The pocket could be divided for a pair of glasses on one side like his is, if needed.

 

[getaclue]

It's hard to lose old friends. I'm sorry.

Definitely tough to see them not doing well as they get older.

Thank you both. Yes, it is. But, we have to remember that Caroline has outlived her hatchery genetics as it is. The Lt. Brahma hen who was in the brooder with her and big Suede died at 5 1/2 years old. We didn't expect Caroline to live as long as she has. Even understanding she was on borrowed time, we still hate to lose her. She has been a wonderful hen, which is why I have the group of Brahmas growing up now. On a different topic, I made another Kindle cover, this time in this cool glow-in-the-dark Star Wars fabric. No idea why, just had some left from DH's I made awhile ago. The pocket could be divided for a pair of glasses on one side like his is, if needed.

That is really neat. I like it.

 

[speckledhen]

That is really neat. I like it.

Thanks. One of my sisters in law is crafty herself and is always suggesting things for me to make. The thing is, I really don't want to make lots of little things, just not what I like to do since I'm really a quilter, not a sewer, but I've made these because I found the pattern in a quilt magazine that Ladyhawk gave me a few years ago, among other things. I got a Kindle for my birthday last year and I needed a cover and made mine. It was so easy, I made one for her and one for my husband. I still have a couple left in different sizes. This one will actually fit an ipad or larger Kindle. I also made these.

 

[1muttsfan]

I especially like the way you trimmed them out, very neatly done.

 

[h2oratt]

Thanks. One of my sisters in law is crafty herself and is always suggesting things for me to make. The thing is, I really don't want to make lots of little things, just not what I like to do since I'm really a quilter, not a sewer, but I've made these because I found the pattern in a quilt magazine that Ladyhawk gave me a few years ago, among other things. I got a Kindle for my birthday last year and I needed a cover and made mine. It was so easy, I made one for her and one for my husband. I still have a couple left in different sizes. This one will actually fit an ipad or larger Kindle. I also made these.

Those are very nice. I like them.

 

[speckledhen]

I especially like the way you trimmed them out, very neatly done.

Those are very nice. I like them.

Thanks. The pattern did not call for the inner liner to be flannel, but to me, it made sense, being softer. The pocket on the Star Wars cover is the regular fabric, but someone could face their e-reader to the back of the pocket so the screen is against the flannel and not the pocket itself. I've made a few quilted bags, but they are more labor intensive and I'd never get any money from those. Plus, I made a few wine bottle carriers at the request of a friend who makes her own wine. Those are not too hard.






Oh, I forgot, I made this for one of my sisters-in-law last year for her ipad. I love this fabric so much, but I don't think I have anymore of it. Fabric is like clothing and if you don't get all you want at one time, you'll probably never see it again. I think I got it for use in my watercolor quilts, but it is just so gorgeous, I wish I had a few more yards of it.




Since this is Atlas's thread, he was sitting in the floor just awhile ago since we put everyone inside, thinking it was going to rain. DH was saying we could lose someone we just don't expect. And in that conversation, he said, "We could lose Atlas, for that matter", seeing him sitting down so quiet there. I hope not, but he's a rooster with a high stress job and it's definitely possible. I lost both his dad and his uncle way too early, so you never know. In that case, I was thinking if I'd give his hens to Hector or Apollo. I think that Hector should get the Stukels and Apollo should get Hector's. What do you think? Of course, we hopefully will have my sweet guy awhile longer, but it makes you think a little.

 

[Wyatt0224]

Is quilting hard? It seems to be a time consuming hobby. But it always looks like the end result is really worth it.

I sure hope Atlas doesn't leave anytime soon. That would be a rooster who left way to soon.