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

[speckledhen]

 

[speckledhen]

Asa and Levi are sold, together. A former customer in town called on my ad at the co-op for Asa and Levi. Didn't know it was him until he said where he was coming from and I thought I recognized his voice. When he showed up and saw them, very nice Mexican guy with his family, he wanted both of them. He got Atlas's uncle (Rex's brother), Ira, from me about a year ago and just happened to be the one to call on my ad. The English was broken, but I believe I understood that he still has Ira and just needed more roosters for the extra hens he has now, probably out of Ira. So, I'm finally down to no extras unless you count that goober, Deacon, but he's not going anywhere.

I think I'm breaking Rachel up. She hasn't been on the nest in two days and is clucking less and less. Whew! That doesn't mean Dottie won't go over the edge, however, considering her history.

 

[1muttsfan]

Yay! Another successful rehoming. I know several of my extras are still around, kicking and crowing.

 

[speckledhen]

Honestly, I didn't want to do it. I wanted to keep them both, but I already have Deacon with no real place to go after Isaac made it clear he'd kill him if he stayed in there, with Rex having the same attitude. Certainly Atlas and Deacon would fight badly as well.

And they are 15 weeks old so about to start assaulting poor Amanda, who is helpless to stop them. She was already hurt by Atlas and they were starting to make her very nervous, getting so large. I made a choice between Amanda and the two boys. It hurts when I rehome any birds I've raised that long, two very sweet boys. I hope they're okay. Julio doesn't have the setup I do so they'll be much colder than they are used to being. I just can't keep them all, but dang it, I love my roosters so much.

 

[1muttsfan]

It is really too bad that the boys can't be kept, but they can be so destructive if not given enough space, and really are a danger to themselves and others. There are not many animals in which unaltered males can be kept without issues arising - we neuter most male animals that are kept beyond adolescence, apart from the few kept for breeding.

 

[speckledhen]

It is really too bad that the boys can't be kept, but they can be so destructive if not given enough space, and really are a danger to themselves and others. There are not many animals in which unaltered males can be kept without issues arising - we neuter most male animals that are kept beyond adolescence, apart from the few kept for breeding.

I know, I had no real choice, but I just love the roosters that come from the lines I have here. Isaac is probably the smartest rooster I've ever owned as well as being very affectionate. His son, Rex, is an excellent flock leader and good as gold. And of course, Rex's son, Atlas, has really become my buddy. He's an amazingly calm and smart guy and I am so proud of him. When I am putting in the various groups for the night, sometimes, I don't even have to tell him to go inside. He sees what I'm doing from his ramp and he leads his three girls inside-I know because I can see him watching what I'm doing and he just does what he knows I want him to do. If he's still out, all I have to say is, "Atlas, go inside" and up the ramp he goes. He never leaves one of his girls behind, though.

Atlas hasn't given my husband any trouble at all since moving back into that coop they're in now. I keep thinking it would make things easier if I could sell Atlas and at least one of the pullets so Deacon could have a coop to live in with hens of his own, but I can't bring myself to do it at this point. I'm becoming way too attached to Atlas. So, we'll just have to keep shuffling Deacon around and doing it the way we're doing it now until my big old Isaac passes on. He seems very healthy at this point in time other than the bad circulation in his legs and his arthritis so he may just make it to his 6th hatch day in February and I'm not moving him from his current environment at this late stage of the game. He's seems content with his five hens, though they are up in years as well-one is a year older than he is, in fact, my EE, June.

 

[1muttsfan]

Isaac is really a wonder bird, things looked pretty grim for him earlier this year. Nice that his senior years have been happy, King of his domain

 

[speckledhen]

Isaac is really a wonder bird, things looked pretty grim for him earlier this year. Nice that his senior years have been happy, King of his domain

He sure did bounce back with panache, didn't he? That boy has some good genes, I'd say. He has old age issues, but he crows with gusto and still takes care of his women. He's already lived longer than any other rooster I've had, in spite of all he's been through. Suede was 5 years 8 months when he passed on of old age. Ike has passed him by two months now with no signs of stopping. I sure will miss the big guy when he's gone.

 

[lisa67steve99]

All of your boys are gorgeous. Just look how good looking my big boy, Ty, has turned out.

 

[speckledhen]

Oh, Lisa! He looks exactly like Rex! Wow! Thank you so much for updating me on Ty!