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

[speckledhen]

I didn't know that rocks came in blue. How pretty he is. It sounds like a soap opera in your chicken shed. Such fun.

I also wanted to ask why your rooster keeps shaking his head? My hatchery barred rock rooster does the same thing, I was thinking it was from his massive comb and wattles and potentially a bit of frostbite forming, but I see yours doing it too.

Yes, Blue Plymouth Rocks have been around since I believe the 1920's.

Poor Atlas. His hens have pecked at his comb and wattles and he probably itches. I didn't even notice him doing it when I was filming. Those hens need to be spanked, I swear.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

So it's probably a sign of discomfort? Mine is probably getting a touch of frostbite. I knew I should have choose another breed but I love the look of them.

 

[speckledhen]

So it's probably a sign of discomfort? Mine is probably getting a touch of frostbite. I knew I should have choose another breed but I love the look of them.

Could be. Could be itching or tingling so maybe frostbite, can't say for sure, but I've seen roosters do that all times of the year, the Stevie Wonder head shake. I just say their wattles itch, LOL. At least my Brahmas ought to be okay as far as winter goes. They were made for cold weather with their pea combs and furry pajamas.


ETA: I just remembered they were eating grits and stuff and he had junk stuck on his wattles. Maybe that's what it was!

 

[1muttsfan]

Love watching the birds mooch around. I do wonder why the right hand side of the videos you post are cut off on my phone? I use the desktop view, but about a third of the right side does not show. Anyone else seeing this?

 

[Wyatt0224]

Love watching the birds mooch around. I do wonder why the right hand side of the videos you post are cut off on my phone? I use the desktop view, but about a third of the right side does not show. Anyone else seeing this?

Yes I have it happen on my iPad. What I do is two finger zoom in and that usually fixes it. Very good video.

 

[MistyMountain]

I've been lurking again....

Busy days that I can't always reply. Love your videos, Cyn. Wish we were neighbors!! Did you get any accumulation this last storm? We got 5 inches and school was closed yesterday and today due to bad roads/ice.

How are you enjoying your Nissan? We had a Titan (truck) but recently sold it and upgraded to a Silverado 2500 Duramax Diesel. It was necessary, mostly for safety, and longevity. That's my car, but I don't put may miles on it at all, so fuel mileage doesn't hurt so bad. That truck should last us half of forever. DH has a Nissan Altima as his commuter for work. He bought it off CL. He met the owner, drove it, and had the same concerns about the CVT. He didn't really want it. She was desperate, and it was a nice car, so he bought it. It has done well ever since. Strange not to feel the transmission shift, though.

How is Atla's hock holding up in this cold weather? Poor guy and those picking' hens!! Mine do the same to the rooster only. It just blows my mind that he sits there and LETS them do it! Everyone looks fantastic right now, rooster included, with their shiny new feathers. At least I have something pretty to look at, even if I don't get any eggs.

I am truly understanding the difference between hatchery and heritage. My mottled javas are around 19 weeks old now and they are probably twice the size of the other chickens in my flock. The cockerels are as big as my 3 year old rooster.

I posted these elsewhere, but thought you might enjoy them--- Isaiah, Sharky is getting bigger! And who doesn't like to laugh at the chicken traffic jam when there is snow on the ground!! Mostly the newbies, though!!

 

[holm25]

Misty Sharky is looking good! What are your plans with her? Breeding?? Feeder?? She looks like she has some good frame to her and would make a good cow!

 

[MistyMountain]

Unfortunately, sharky is a boy

. He will end up in our freezer. Our youngest (6) has asked us if Sharky will see the snows of winter since the day we brought him home. We were excited to wake up to snow on Saturday to show him. He's pretty naughty. A couple weeks ago he raced the UPS driver up the driveway (his pasture borders the driveway on one side... and we are guilty of teaching him to race us up the driveway) and forgot to stop, running right through the fence. Last night he was jealous of the boys sledding and ran through it again. It just needs to last a til spring and we finish the high tension fencing...

 

[holm25]

Aaah I see. Do you plan on getting more cattle after Sharky is gone? He's to friendly. Cattle need respect for fences and humans. A lot of times bottle calves are over friendly or aggressive. A good smack on the nose when they get pushy helps.


How long do you plan on keeping him around? Till next fall?

 

[MistyMountain]

We try to push back when he pushes, my husband does the best job with that. I think he actually enjoys it, playing with his "puppy". Fall is about right. We hope to get another bottle baby this spring and just continue that way each year. We can't really support a herd without spending $$ on lots of feed. We will have a solid two acres in the back of planted horse pasture mix, mostly for my 26 year old horse. Sharky will go back with him this spring. We maybe have another acre/acre and a half in front of the house where the young calves will start out. That includes temporary fencing in the orchard when the fruit trees are done in the fall. The other two acres behind the house and up to the barn has been cleared, but needs planting and a good growing period and winter before anything grazes on it. It is on a hill, so we want to be sure good strong grass grows before getting trampled and leaving it open to erosion.