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

[speckledhen]

They will be two weeks old Monday. Aren't they adorable? The known cockerel is always at the front of the group when I take pictures, future flock leader, that one.

I just found out how Rachel will protect them... and the target was me. Thankfully, the hardware screen door was between my face and the raging mad mama when she attacked ! Two of the chicks were behind the pen door when I herded her back inside the pen for the night, so I gently reached down to scoop them up and shuttle them around the door. Not having been handled much yet, they both started cheeping and she hit that door full force, right at my face level, screaming and beating her wings and flogging the door! If Finn ever dares go after a chick, woe be unto the Finn-Cat! She's turned into a fabulous broody, this girl.

 

[lularat]

Glad that door was between you two....what a good mama.

 

[speckledhen]

Glad that door was between you two....what a good mama.

You and me both! Wow, it was so fast, I didn't even have time to react. Now, Dottie, having been through this numerous times already would have just had that look like, "Okay, kids, calm down, she won't hurt you." But, Rachel is doing it for her first time and she is intense!

 

[Peanutsmomma]

Wow, I have missed visiting your thread and checking on the babies so much! With my husband home we are running the roads and working on so many projects that I haven't had time to check BYC.

First of all, how is Deacon? I hope that he is better and has not suffered an internal injury like Rex. Speaking of not acting right, one our little chocolate pullet is acting "off" this morning too and after a thorough examination I cannot find any reason for her not eating and acting like she feels bad. She did the same thing as Deacon, when I picked her up she just closed her eyes and laid her head against me. Heavy sigh....it is so much easier when there is an obvious source of the off behavior.

How is Atlas doing with his new ladies? The Atlas babies are so precious, I have been missing my morning dose of chick cuteness.

Your bed runner looks great. I really like that chicken wire fabric too.

 

[Peanutsmomma]

Found a dead hen this morning when I went out to do chores - one of my CL's. She was not currently laying, in good condition with food in her crop. Everone has seemed quite healthy lately. She was laying upside down in the nest box with her feet sticking out, it did look like the bedding was kicked around some. Appears like stroke/heart attack/seizure. A short life but a happy one.

So sorry to hear that you lost a hen.

 

[speckledhen]

Wow, I have missed visiting your thread and checking on the babies so much! With my husband home we are running the roads and working on so many projects that I haven't had time to check BYC.

First of all, how is Deacon? I hope that he is better and has not suffered an internal injury like Rex. Speaking of not acting right, one our little chocolate pullet is acting "off" this morning too and after a thorough examination I cannot find any reason for her not eating and acting like she feels bad. She did the same thing as Deacon, when I picked her up she just closed her eyes and laid her head against me. Heavy sigh....it is so much easier when there is an obvious source of the off behavior.

How is Atlas doing with his new ladies? The Atlas babies are so precious, I have been missing my morning dose of chick cuteness.

Your bed runner looks great. I really like that chicken wire fabric too.

Deacon seems okay, nothing I can really point to as wrong. Time will tell. I think removing the black girls was the right thing to do. Neither Rita or Serena picks on Sammie Jo, a much more low-key environment for Deacon.

Atlas is the King of All now. He's still sweet, hasn't gone to his head. My friend, Andrew, is coming up to get that set of BR eggs from Atlas's pen and he will soon have babies galore, I hope, if those older hens have submitted to the awesomeness that is Atlas.

 

[speckledhen]

Andrew, was so nice to chat with you today when you picked up the eggs. Thank you for appreciating Atlas and the Stukel Rock hens and I hope you have a really great hatch in that Dickey incubator you have now. I've heard great things about them. With 16 eggs, hopefully, you'll get at least 10-12 little barred beauties.

Andrew and I were talking and I think we both sort of are thinking out of Rachel's five chicks, there may be two cockerels. I'm sure of one pullet and the other two are anybody's guess at this point. This line of BRs is just not as easy to sex as the hatchery BRs-those were easy peasy. I just wish the weather would turn warm and dry for a few days so they could get out in the sunshine and I could see them in better light and take pictures without that darn flash.

 

[Brandi9]

Thank you, Brandi9! Welcome to BYC!

 

[gojira]

I am sorry I talked your ear off today. My son and I are both excited. I hope the new (to me) incubator does well. I have been using a Hovabator I have had for over 25 years. I ordered it when I was in high school, and it had the fan and the auto turner. I was starting to have trouble with the turner, so I thought I would upgrade. The temperature and humidity have been stabilized, so I plan to put them in tomorrow.

 

[speckledhen]

I am sorry I talked your ear off today. My son and I are both excited. I hope the new (to me) incubator does well. I have been using a Hovabator I have had for over 25 years. I ordered it when I was in high school, and it had the fan and the auto turner. I was starting to have trouble with the turner, so I thought I would upgrade. The temperature and humidity have been stabilized, so I plan to put them in tomorrow.

Oh, I enjoyed our visit, Andrew, don't apologize! Wish it hadn't been raining or we'd have gone out to visit Atlas. Maybe next time...anyway, best of luck with your hatch. I expect pictures, you know.