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

[speckledhen]

There are times to step in, and times to let nature do it's thing. Some birds we let them finish their life's story on their own terms, others we help out, it is definitely an individual thing based on many factors.

Beautifully put, Lisa.

Yes. He has had a good life, and would likely be lost if moved away from his group.

Absolutely, and he'd be a total basket case anyway. He's not one you can handle without him stressing out terribly. I'd rather he die with his peeps as he's always been.

 

[getaclue]

Ok, the account reflects the where zulily credited back my money. Yay! In the meantime, I made sure all the old information was removed, and only my current information is showing.

 

[speckledhen]

Ok, the account reflects the where zulily credited back my money. Yay! In the meantime, I made sure all the old information was removed, and only my current information is showing.

Finally! I know that relief when a transaction dispute is resolved.

I was wrong about my dates. Today is the hatch day for Wynette and the others turning 7 years old. I was thinking yesterday was the 6th. That's what happens when you have no place to go or a schedule, I guess (and don't look at the bottom right hand corner of your computer, either, haha).

 

[kitkat5505]

I’m sorry Aubrey isn’t doing well. He’s so cute and little that I forget he’s older.

We also decided we aren’t going to do anything more for my son’s EE Jane with the reproductive problems. She was standing hunched up again the last few days and I just don’t have the desire to keep prolonging whatever is going on, plus my hospital pen/brooder (aka my bathtub) has chicks in it right now so I don’t really have somewhere else to put her and she gets bored stuck there all day so she’ll stay in the coop as long as they aren’t picking on her.

 

[speckledhen]

I’m sorry Aubrey isn’t doing well. He’s so cute and little that I forget he’s older.

We also decided we aren’t going to do anything more for my son’s EE Jane with the reproductive problems. She was standing hunched up again the last few days and I just don’t have the desire to keep prolonging whatever is going on, plus my hospital pen/brooder (aka my bathtub) has chicks in it right now so I don’t really have somewhere else to put her and she gets bored stuck there all day so she’ll stay in the coop as long as they aren’t picking on her.

Thank you, Kara. And I agree with your decision about Jane. It's my practice to do just that, try once, then if she relapses, let nature take its course and as long as she is surrounded by her peeps and no one is picking on her, let her stay with them as long as she can, which may be until the end happens. I think it's less stressful, more peaceful, for them to go that way, if at all possible. If you recall, the photos I took when Caroline was dying, my Buff Brahma hen. Caroline died surrounded by her subordinates and I think it was comforting to her.

 

[speckledhen]

I got a sad message from the lady who bought one of my BR cockerels, I think he was a son of Atlas.

I am so sad. I found my beautiful Romeo dead in the coop today. He was fine yesterday. No signs of trauma anywhere! We have 6 eggs incubating and I have 3 more and hope to get more tomorrow to put in from him. He was such a gentle soul. I loved him!!

I told her about my eggs incubating from the Hector pen and said if she needed one of those males, she was welcome to it, no charge. See, this is why I keep sweet roosters, the folks who also can enjoy their progeny. That easygoing temperament just keeps on giving.

Now, this sudden death in a young rooster begs the question....if he was a dwarf gene carrier, did that influence his lifespan? I know roosters can just drop suddenly from their high stress life, but I've always wondered about what the gene does to the internal organs of a carrier? Are they "dwarfed" inside in some way?

 

[Leahs Mom]

I remember reading some time ago (but don't remember where) that many young cockerels die suddenly at about 11 months old. I don't think it ever said why, but only that it was common. What was his age?

 

[speckledhen]

I remember reading some time ago (but don't remember where) that many young cockerels die suddenly at about 11 months old. I don't think it ever said why, but only that it was common. What was his age?

Gosh, I'm sure he was over a year old, but not by much. I'd have to go back through the messages to check that to be sure.

 

[kitkat5505]

Oh no, that’s so sad

 

[Leahs Mom]

From what I remember, they were saying it was heart failure in the age range of 10 - 12 months.

But that doesn't make me satisfied....I want to know WHY...what was the cause of the heart failure in many cockerels at that age?