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

[getaclue]

YAY!! No matter how many chickens you grow out, first eggs are always exciting!

 

[1muttsfan]

That's right! Good girl.

 

[speckledhen]

And more new happenings today: Maretta, my 5 1/2 yr old 1/2 BW Ameraucana hen defected from Rita's group to Xander's! Xander is in hog heaven and Wendy and Ro are not happy. Maretta can be a bossy, cantankerous little hen, but Xander has had his sights set on her for ages and now, she's said yes. She went back with that group and seems perfectly happy to be there so I'm going to leave her unless she changes her mind. If Dusty passes away (she's almost 9 and a big old Orp hen), then Xander will have a new head hen. Trust me, Maretta will be head hen there.

 

[1muttsfan]

What a soap opera

 

[speckledhen]

What a soap opera

I know! I was talking to Ladyhawk on the phone last night and the stories were flowing. I said, "Oh, our chicken dramas!" They sure have personalities and their own soaps going, don't they?

I saw a change over the last week when Maretta would willingly share a dust hole with Xander. And when those two groups were herded in by DH, he didn't notice that Maretta went in with Xander rather than Rita's group. When I went into the barn when we were filling waterers, I noticed Maretta in the wrong pen, but she was just eating and milling around like she was fine being there. So, Xander has worked his 'Munchkin Magic' on her!

 

[crazyhen]

OH! roosters !!!! I have a rooster that is very jealous. I was feeding the girls out of my hand and Stoney jumped over them catching me off guard. He got a strong hold on my hand and almost took a bite out. Wow! I will have to watch him from now on. His genetic.s aren't pure so he is pushing it. He is very pretty. He is a lavender type. Very broad and pretty with a slight bared shadow to him. Since I keep both layers and what I call pretties he's been here almost a full yr. Stunts like that could shorten his time though.

anyone want him?

 

[GabrielBane]

Maybe my boys are young... but my Silver Wheaten Sulmtalers have never, EVER given me any fuss.


The other red Wheaten cockerel tho.... he was stew long ago.





I love my boys. It's a shame I'm thinning them down by two, they really are quite mild mannered.

(The left is an eventual table bird, his two brothers are breeders, their 4th brother isn't pictured here.)

 

[speckledhen]

OH! roosters !!!! I have a rooster that is very jealous. I was feeding the girls out of my hand and Stoney jumped over them catching me off guard. He got a strong hold on my hand and almost took a bite out. Wow! I will have to watch him from now on. His genetic.s aren't pure so he is pushing it. He is very pretty. He is a lavender type. Very broad and pretty with a slight bared shadow to him. Since I keep both layers and what I call pretties he's been here almost a full yr. Stunts like that could shorten his time though.

anyone want him?

Folks think jealousy is not a chicken trait, but I've seen it too many times. But, I've also had roosters who are really rough when they eat out of your hand, mostly because they're trying to get the goodies before everyone else and they hurt! I have managed to get Apollo to slow down a lot with that since he's not with Atlas anymore, not having to compete as much.

Maybe my boys are young... but my Silver Wheaten Sulmtalers have never, EVER given me any fuss.


The other red Wheaten cockerel tho.... he was stew long ago.





I love my boys. It's a shame I'm thinning them down by two, they really are quite mild mannered.

(The left is an eventual table bird, his two brothers are breeders, their 4th brother isn't pictured here.)

They're handsome birds, Gabriel. The little pouf reminds me of the three sisters I had, same Cochin/Silkie sire and Barred Rock mothers. I called them The Poufy Head Sisters (real original, eh?). They were the cutest, sweetest, most personable little hens ever, all with that little pouf on top.

 

[islandgirl82]

Folks think jealousy is not a chicken trait, but I've seen it too many times. But, I've also had roosters who are really rough when they eat out of your hand, mostly because they're trying to get the goodies before everyone else and they hurt! I have managed to get Apollo to slow down a lot with that since he's not with Atlas anymore, not having to compete as much.

Some of my hens get really overzealous when getting handfed treats - particularly those who are the most people-oriented but that's when Ichabod becomes even gentler than he normally is...if you can imagine that!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have zero aggression in my roosters and find it odd that so many people do have troubles. I've kept all kinds of different breeds and all leave me alone. I also don't handle mine much nor do I hand feed them. They are are curious and approach me, but also they move out of my way. I currently have 5 large breed roosters and 10 bantams.

I've seen many emotions in chickens. The worse is when they lose a close friend and go into depression from it. It is so sad. My 9 year old EExRIR lost her friend last year and spent more than half a year being sad and by herself. She still stays to herself mostly. They really do bond to each other and form lasting friendships.