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

[speckledhen]

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

Thank you! It feels good to get the opinions of someone else who isn't as close as I am.

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

The girls still look like teapots.

I feel pretty darn good about that tail, yes I do! And I also like the lines of the pullets. All in all, a nice trio so far.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Yep, that tail is beautiful. It's going to be even better as it continues to fill in.

 

[speckledhen]

Yep, that tail is beautiful. It's going to be even better as it continues to fill in.

 

[speckledhen]

Atlas is making himself a problem right now, not with me but with DH. He reacts differently to him than to me, maybe because DH is leery of him and gives off that vibe, but hard to say. To open the pop door, you have to open the human door, lean down to the left, remove the nail that goes through the door into the frame and slide the door upward in the track and secure it with the same nail. DH says when he leans in, he takes a small poop rake and Atlas attacks the rake, but he says he will not lean down with Atlas rushing toward the door, and at his face without having the rake. I know Atlas is hyped up in the morning and he's wants out ASAP, so when a door is open, he runs toward it, but I have seen that he has a slightly different attitude around DH than he does me. He hasn't flogged him, but DH, expecting it to happen, has avoided the situation. I told him he has to test him, to give him the opportunity to be bad so we can see where he truly is with his behavior. I pet him on the roost every night, rub his wattles and his face and he loves it.

Today, we both went into the pen together as a test and Atlas skittered away from DH, but when I spoke to him, he let me lean down close to his face and rub his wattles and his chest, no problem, not a nip. The thing is, I decided long ago that I will not keep a rooster who is a problem in ANY way, for either of us. We've had one rooster in the past who developed a grudge against me but not DH and he didn't get to stay, though he was older and we were both attached to him, so why would I allow Atlas to behave badly toward my husband-I like him, but I'm not super attached to the guy.

 

[crazyhen]

I agree! I had one beauty too that was mean. I never knew why. The others I have had have been sweet, that is accept the last Ameraucuana. There was two of them and they both had to test the limits and me and my neighbor( whom I had given one.) She still has hers. He rushes the fence but will not harm her. Not yet anyway. I gave mine to a lady who wanted to bred him. I told her about the personality but she said she would break him, she had done them before. I wished her luck. He was pretty.
If they get to stay they behave. Right now I have a Del roo from Kathy and he is distant but that is ok. He has never offered to bite or flog. I have a new buff orp. I promised him to someone while I was so sick, now I regret it but I will honor it. The hen and him are real scaredy cats. I do not know why they have always been treated really well... have a wonderful day. I am too dry here already. Can you belive cracks in this clay hill.

 

[1muttsfan]

If he is not working out for any reason, it seems reasonable for you to find him a new home. As has been said, roosters create a lot of work. I think you are like me, and have chickens primarily for enjoyment, with the wonderful bonus of eggs. Having a troublemaker can really affect that enjoyment. I have yet to rehome a bird and regretted it for very long. Certainly some birds will take a dislike to one particular person. And you do find him a new home, maybe down the road you can get some offspring.

And maybe a picture or two when he is fully grown

 

[speckledhen]

I agree! I had one beauty too that was mean. I never knew why. The others I have had have been sweet, that is accept the last Ameraucuana. There was two of them and they both had to test the limits and me and my neighbor( whom I had given one.) She still has hers. He rushes the fence but will not harm her. Not yet anyway. I gave mine to a lady who wanted to bred him. I told her about the personality but she said she would break him, she had done them before. I wished her luck. He was pretty.
If they get to stay they behave. Right now I have a Del roo from Kathy and he is distant but that is ok. He has never offered to bite or flog. I have a new buff orp. I promised him to someone while I was so sick, now I regret it but I will honor it. The hen and him are real scaredy cats. I do not know why they have always been treated really well... have a wonderful day. I am too dry here already. Can you belive cracks in this clay hill.

He's not actually mean, so far, just makes hubby nervous. And after having roosters like Hawkeye, Suede, Zane, Isaac and my current Rex, it's hard to settle for any less. There was not a mean bone in any one of them, though both Ike and Rex, as youngsters, had to have a short "aversion therapy" to stop the nipping habit. It worked because they were intelligent and easygoing by nature.

If he is not working out for any reason, it seems reasonable for you to find him a new home. As has been said, roosters create a lot of work. I think you are like me, and have chickens primarily for enjoyment, with the wonderful bonus of eggs. Having a troublemaker can really affect that enjoyment. I have yet to rehome a bird and regretted it for very long. Certainly some birds will take a dislike to one particular person. And you do find him a new home, maybe down the road you can get some offspring.

And maybe a picture or two when he is fully grown

I think part of the problem with Atlas right now was the same issue I had with the original Rex at about the same age. They are like loaded springs, under extreme tension and with tons of pent-up energy. When I was changing things around and Scott took Rex to his place and was free ranging him on a more regular basis than I could with my other groups, he calmed down and was a good rooster. Some of it is also maturity. I think it would be the same with Atlas, but I have too many other things happening to let him out much(correction: at all) right now. He has to stay penned for the time being and he's not thrilled with it, having been raised by Dottie and running all over this place, as she always does with her broods.

Of course when I said, "...so why would I allow Atlas to behave badly toward my husband-I like him, but I'm not super attached to the guy", I meant Atlas, not my husband, LOL

 

[Happy Chooks]

Of course when I said, "...so why would I allow Atlas to behave badly toward my husband-I like him, but I'm not super attached to the guy", I meant Atlas, not my husband, LOL

Please be a good boy Atlas.

 

[speckledhen]

I want him to be good whether he stays or goes. He's so gorgeous, it would be a crying shame for his temperament not to match his looks. But, as they say, pretty is as pretty does. Gotta behave or you're out on your sickle feathers.

 

[drumstick diva]

We're pulling for you Atlas but, you've got to help yourself too - bawk bawk!!