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

[speckledhen]

He sure is a hunk of handsome, isn't he? I'm still considering allowing Atlas to to be someone's breeder other than mine. I do need his pullets, though, to replace the hens I've lost this year and am continuing to lose or I won't have anything except old hens left. Robin is laying now and I'm sure Wendy, Rowena and Rachel will follow suit.

If I put his girls in with Rex, then I can move the bantams into their newly built coop, the old hens into the current bantam coop and that frees up the big 8x12 side of that building. When the three Orp hens are gone, little Cochin lovebug, Xander, could go live with the main old hens group and then we could begin to dismantle that building.

When Ike passes on, I'll open up the door between the two sections of the main coop and Deacon and Rex can share (I can just see Rex's eyeroll now) all their hens as one larger group. I have one little pullet out of Delia and Rex that I guess I can keep and Ike, Jr. has a home already, so the only true extra will be his little single barred brother.

Right now, I'm throwing one D'Anver broody off the nest repeatedly because I do not want or need more chicks at the beginning of colder weather, nope, not going to cave on this one.

 

[crazyhen]

AUGH........ poor little hen, no babies.

Yes I am going through the same with a large faverolle hen. Sweet but broodie. My flock looks terrible like a picker got loose on them, but didn't do a good job. I have never seen such a big bunch of feathers like this before. Poor babies they look embarassed.
All of us are trying to get ready for winter. I am trying to combine flocks etc. I am scrubbing , disinfecting and checking every week for those mites. I have not seen any since I treated but they say they can return in a wk or two. Maybe since I caught them fairly early I got them for this season. I will stay vigilant though. I hope you get all yours arranged before the cold hits. They say we may be in the 40's one night this wk. ...... I was tired of hot weather anyway.

 

[speckledhen]

I'm concerned about Isaac this winter. Last winter was so hard on him and he'll turn 6 in February.

Today, we set up all the usual heat lamp stations that hold those black night heat reptile bulbs. Ike gets priority as does poor old Amanda who must sleep on the floor. Need to get some hay for warmer bedding to add to the shavings. It's going into the 40's tonight and probably tomorrow night. It was only 54* this morning anyway.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Those temps sound heavenly. We've been in the 60's at night but unable to open windows due to this massive 88,000 acre fire near us. The smoke was so bad today that school was cancelled.

for rain to help put this fire out!

Atlas sure is a hunk, I knew that boy was going to have a gorgeous tail! I love seeing pictures of him growing, and I hope you decide to keep him. You are well aware of this breed and you will do a wonderful job with them.

 

[speckledhen]

Having experienced a house fire, and remembering that awful smell, I feel for the California folks.

Thanks for the compliment, Kelly. I'm just overstressed right now, I think. Have to get to painting the last of the trim on the new coop during this dry period. This morning here, it's 47*, but it will be slightly warmer the next few nights. Saw two deer inside the perimeter fence this morning and one was leaping and jumping like she was in love with the cooler weather.

Coop complete except for last bit of trim paint and weatherstripping at hinge side and top of door. That side is hit by winds and rain, though I feel the other bantam coop will partially shield it.

 

[MistyMountain]

I'm a lurker stepping out of the shadows. I've been following but often times do not have much time to post regularly. Altas is a handsome boy! Great job on the coop! Excited to see what is in store for this guy!

Cold here this morning as well, north of you in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

I just did a little bit of shopping on your etsy link, beautiful stuff!

Have a great week!
Michelle

 

[speckledhen]

I'm a lurker stepping out of the shadows. I've been following but often times do not have much time to post regularly. Altas is a handsome boy! Great job on the coop! Excited to see what is in store for this guy!

Cold here this morning as well, north of you in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

I just did a little bit of shopping on your etsy link, beautiful stuff!

Have a great week!
Michelle

Michelle! Thank you so much for your purchase! I have it ready to mail out today.

Hope you like it!

Yes, we're chilly here, for sure.

 

[speckledhen]

Atlas, Rowena and Rachel @ 24 Weeks Old.. No eggs from these two yet; only Robin, one of the blacks, is laying.


Here, Atlas looks more like his late Uncle Rex in the face than he does his daddy, Rex.









Rachel is definitely darker than Ro.

 

[Happy Chooks]

He is going to be magnificent when he's a year old. I can see it!

 

[1muttsfan]

And how do we feel about that tail NOW, Hmmm?

The girls still look like teapots.