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

[speckledhen]

Just like her namesake.

. I love my freedom and hate being shut in.

I know that! You and my GJ are free spirits!


Today, when Ida was off the nest, I checked her three eggs. One of her own was already in the air cell (Day 19) so I gave her three non-fertile eggs and moved her three into the incubator; will do the same as we did with Wynette, introduce an already hatched chick to her, see if she's hostile and go from there. Since I got only four from Wynette's, I don't want to risk these last three.

I stopped at the feed store in town to see what they had, so maybe I could add to what Ida had and let her raise them, or brooder raise them with the ones that hatch if Ida rejects hers and I'm stuck anyway, but they have nothing I would want. Today's brooder was occupied with two week old EEs (they called Ameraucanas, of course, but we all know about that mess). I like EEs just fine but these were WAY too big to pass off as newly hatched, already big hoodlums, overpriced at that. I could go to the other feed store in Murphy but they get theirs from Mt. Healthy, or did last two years, and they are just not very impressive, not that I really expect much from hatchery stock, but I would take a chance on Brahmas or Silver Phoenix. I just refuse to buy hybrid layers or their version of Buff Orps, NHs, RIRs and certainly, no way I'd take hatchery BRs with what I have here now.

So, I have three eggs in the bator and am on IBW (Intense Bator Watch), a term I made up a few years ago. Someone said it sounded like an intestinal ailment, LOL, and it does! HAHA!

 

[speckledhen]

Chick Pics! I either have two males, two females, or three males, would be my guess. What is odd about this line of BRs, and I've attempted to sex quite a few of them, though many more hatchery BRs (easy as pie, those are), is that the ones that appear to have the smallest, most defined head spots tend to be male while the pullets have head spots that most folks experienced with sexing BRs would peg as cockerels. It's not easy at all. Some of the around-the-back-of-the-head frosting that males have is so, super subtle, that unless you see it in the right light, you just miss it.

Another thing that is different is that the pullets do not always have much dark wash on the legs and sometimes the cockerels have some sketchy dark down the fronts as chicks. Again, confusing sex cues. Anyway, my best guess at the moment is two male, two female, but time, as always, is the best sexing method.

In the first photo, the little guy on the right posing that you can already see those sharp little bars, yuppers, calling cockerel on that one. Even the head spot says "male" on that one, so I'm sure at least about him.

Second cockerel posing in front, I do believe, but not quite as sure as with the other one. When the flight feathers come out loooong before the rest of the "fringe" of wing feathers, usually, it's a male, at least with these. It was that way with my Blue Orps, too.

In the picture below, the one on the right I think is a pullet. Note the wing "fringe" is very even and the barring sort of faded-looking. The head spot on that chick is not what most would consider a pullet-like head spot, but she has some dark on the legs and the wings coming in that way, I'm calling pullet on that one right now. Maybe the other one to the left, too, but not as sure about that one.

Far right, below, that head spot is the one that is feathering in like a pullet-see what I mean?















oh, adding two of the proud parents. Well, Atlas is proud. Lizzie is probably oblivious.

 

[Peanutsmomma]

Precious!!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

 

[speckledhen]

Oh, I snapped this one, very blurry but you get the drift, LOL.



The camera Tom got me at the thrift store bit the dust completely, but I liked the pictures it took and the shutter speed enough that I found a used one on Amazon for just $49 (originally, close to $300). So, hopefully, I'll have one that will actually work all the time in about a week or so.

 

[speckledhen]

Ida has a chick. It hatched in the incubator awhile ago and we took it out to her. She seems to be okay with it, raises up for it, isn't hostile. The other two eggs, I'm not sure will hatch. One was her own and one belongs to Tessa. Tomorrow is Day 21 so we'll see. We'll move Ida to the little coop tomorrow with her baby.

 

[holm25]

I love those cute little chicks!!!! Hopefully the last two hatch so Ida can have more chicks!

 

[speckledhen]

Today is Day 21 for Ida's batch. One chick is with her out in the bantam coop, seems fine, she's doing great with it so far. The other two eggs both have chicks in the air cell (checked when adding water to the incubator), Ida's chick is cheeping up a storm in there and Tessa's is just in there, moving a little but not cheeping yet. They are so slow for BRs, seems to me. My experience has been that eggs with broodies seem to hatch right on time or by Day 20 even. Not this crew!

The one baby that hatched yesterday, IMO, is a definite cockerel, classic all over, around the back of the head, head spot, almost clean pinky legs. I hope I have at least two pullets out of all these so I can keep one with a son of Atlas to put in with Atlas's group and one to put with a male to sell. Makes it easier to sell if you have a pullet to go with the male.

If anyone in the TN/GA/NC area is interested, if you want better BRs, a good male is a big plus, even if you have hatchery hens. Eventually, over time, you will improve the line. You see that Atlas himself has some faults, but his 3/4 Stukel side, when paired with those good quality hens, produces birds better than himself. lockedhearts has one of his sons, a real looker! Plus, you cannot beat the temperament of 99% of the males in this line of mine.

 

[MistyMountain]

Don't tempt me!! I have family passing through soon and you know I love your BRs!

I am able to hold back though, since my broody coop is currently brooding a baby of a different species....

We got this cutie patootie last night. We now have steak and eggs.

 

[speckledhen]

Don't tempt me!! I have family passing through soon and you know I love your BRs!

I am able to hold back though, since my broody coop is currently brooding a baby of a different species....

We got this cutie patootie last night. We now have steak and eggs.

Aw, I bet Isaiah will be very interested! @holm25 ! Right you your alley. Very cute.

 

[holm25]

Don't tempt me!! I have family passing through soon and you know I love your BRs!

I am able to hold back though, since my broody coop is currently brooding a baby of a different species....

We got this cutie patootie last night. We now have steak and eggs.

Its the cutest little guy!! Is it all beef or does it have some dairy in there?