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

[Happy Chooks]

My Dusty is the sweetest thing ever UNTIL she goes broody. Then she's a fierce witch that won't let you near her. I've had the chunks taken from my hands to prove it.

 

[drumstick diva]

Kelly sounds like you need steel tipped gloves for sure. Don't think she would clamp down on those after the first time.

 

[speckledhen]

My Dusty is the sweetest thing ever UNTIL she goes broody. Then she's a fierce witch that won't let you near her. I've had the chunks taken from my hands to prove it.

Dottie is a sweet broody. She trusts us completely to handle her eggs and chicks, no problem there. She is fierce about defending them against everything and everyone else, though!

 

[gojira]

No need to thank me. I can't thank you enough. I am enjoying those two, as well as the D'Anvers. My son is enjoying them also.

 

[speckledhen]

No need to thank me. I can't thank you enough. I am enjoying those two, as well as the D'Anvers. My son is enjoying them also.

Aw, you're a peach, Andrew! I'm so happy your son is having fun with them.

 

[speckledhen]

Atlas and the two pullets are 32 weeks old now. I was going to get pics of them while they were free ranging today, but by the time I got my camera a little while after letting them roam free, Atlas had taken them back home, apparently not liking our high winds today. So, you get an inside pic or two, not the best lighting, and pics of his little single barred brother, Levi, who is long legged like his granddaddy, Isaac. Still trying to find homes for Levi and his cousin, Asa, Isaac's last son.




Levi is 14 weeks old and super sweet.

 

[1muttsfan]

That picture shows his silhouette nicely. And he is still filling out!

 

[speckledhen]

Thank you, yes, he's broadening still. Will be nice to see how he looks at a year old. Thankfully, Dottie has finally made her place in his little group and isn't hiding 24/7 so he's quite happy with his three girls, I think.

 

[farm316]

how do you know that Atlas is a boy? How did you get you r hen dottie to trust you?

We are doing Easter-egger- Americauna breeding (Once they are old enough)

 

[speckledhen]

how do you know that Atlas is a boy? How did you get you r hen dottie to trust you?

We are doing Easter-egger- Americauna breeding (Once they are old enough)

Males have saddle feathers that are pointy and skinny, unlike the females, like this:


Plus, Atlas is over 6 months old and has been mating the girls for quite some time, as well as having the lighter coloring of a typical Barred Rock male which comes from carrying two barring genes, unlike the hens who only have one. The huge comb and wattles pretty much cement the conclusion.

As far as getting them to trust you, that is not an issue with these Barred Rocks. They are very friendly by nature.