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

[speckledhen]

Such beautiful photos. We cannot wait to get up that way in November.

Most all of them should be on the ground by the time you get up here, Angela. They make a beautiful carpet, though. Have to rake the walking paths or they sure can be slippery when it rains or snows.


ETA: Atlas needed some discipline today. We were trying to get him to go out to free range and since Deacon was in his dog kennel in the front storage area, we had some stuff around it to keep those two apart. Unfortunately, that narrowed the exit for Atlas to go through and he was hesitant. DH was in the coop, trying to shoo him out and he made the mistake of reaching down to pick him up while he was nervous-I almost yelled out, DON'T! but I didn't and DH got nipped. It drew blood because Atlas's beak has a chip in the very tip from his many fence jousting sessions. So, he got the usual beak shake and the NO!, etc. before being set down outside to go run.

Though I realize that he was scared to go past the big black bag of hay next to Deacon's cage, he should never reach out and bite. Fear biting is not acceptable in a dog or a rooster. I've had to pick up plenty of frightened roosters in the past and the ones I keep don't bite or do anything aggressive toward humans here. Even my little feathered pitbull D'Anver rooster, Aubrey, has mellowed out as he's gotten older, and Spike has always been very un-D'anver-like.

On another note, this morning (not due to his behavior, which I think was more DH's fault), I considered selling Atlas, Rowena and Rachel as a trio. Dottie is having a very hard time being accepted, though she raised them. The girls are beating her up and Dottie is so mild-mannered, she hides and doesn't fight back as I thought she would. This really has more to do with life in general being too complicated and selling the trio will uncomplicate my chicken-keeping, at least, giving me some relief in one area. I may feel differently by the end of the day, but chicken plans are always and forever subject to change.

 

[Peanutsmomma]

At least we will get to actually see some fall leaves even if they are on the ground. Living down here on the Gulf Coast we don't get much color change in our trees at all. The place we have rented is on 12 acres on the Tuckaseegee river with no cell, TV or internet service. WOO HOO!! Talk about "Intentional Solitude". I cannot wait!

Sorry to hear that Dottie is not being accepted by Rowena and Rachel. I am guessing that the trio of Atlas, Rowena and Rachel would command a pretty high price. If you decided to sell them will you auction them off or do you have someone in mind to sell them to?

 

[speckledhen]

Quote: cell service we always live without. The other two I can do without, but DH is one who cannot disconnect. TV must always be on.

I doubt I'd get that much for the trio, Angela. Though Atlas is a good looking male, the real value is two pullets who have just started laying and being able to breed from those. Usually, I get $10 each for a point of lay pullet, no matter what the breed, unless there is something extra special about the bird, so I doubt I'd get more than $25 for the trio.

 

[drumstick diva]

Wow that would be next to free for people who could really use them --

 

[speckledhen]

I think it's very reasonable, too, diva. I wish I could show how huge Atlas is. He was standing on the wide roost bar we just put up today and I was petting him and trying to get something off the side of his beak (a bit of dried blood from a scrape) and he was very sweet, even to DH who was standing beside me and talking to him and petting him. I get right in his face and talk to him and rub his wattles and earlobes with no trouble whatsoever. If he wanted to hurt me, he could, because at that height, standing on that 12" board, he's right in my face.

 

[holm25]

Diva do you have chickens.

 

[speckledhen]

Since diva hasn't answered, I guess I will. I don't think she has any chickens.


Atlas is being a good boy. He is smart and he sure is all about Dottie, who finally has decided she may be able to leave the coop on occasion. Her two daughters beat her up some, but that may change if she cuddles up to Atlas. At least she is laying again. I noticed that Atlas is bypassing his daddy in size now. He's just so handsome, that boy. If I sell him, he'll have to go to a really good home. I didn't go into the pen for pictures today, too much going on, but here are some head shots from the other side of the fence.

 

[lularat]

He gets more handsome every day!

 

[lauraschicks]

[/quote] [/quote] What kind of chick is the one with Atlas?

 

[speckledhen]

That is a Belgian D'Anver cockerel, mille fleur color (pre-spot development). But, that isn't Atlas in the photo. That is the original Rex, Atlas's uncle. And I guess that little D'Anver would be Rufus, who now lives in Kentucky with Cetawin.