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

[speckledhen]

Getaclue, hopefully it will be ok and it wasn't a long shutoff.

If you don't catch those oozing eggs early they cement themselves to the turner - last year I had to disassemble one rack and scrape the shell out with a knife

Yeah, I've had an egg stick to the turner in the past, I think one of that batch six years ago that I mentioned. If they are oozing egg white now, they just keep on and they won't hatch anyway. Sometimes, it's those powdery calcium deposits that barely cover a tiny hole in the shell-if they come off, they leave that opening. I checked again and though I see one or two with calcium deposits, they seem intact, no more seeping that I can tell at this time, so 15 are on their way. If I get even 8 good birds out of this, it will be a great hatch!

 

[Peanutsmomma]

We have no experience with lowlines. Theres a forum called "Keeping a Family Milk Cow" and theres lots of Lowline people there. They can answer lots of questions.

Thanks! He is quite the little calf!

Is "Sharky" on a bottle? Or have u got him on a pail now?

Thanks for posting the name of this forum Isaiah. My husband and I are doing research on cattle right now for our future farm and I just love seeing your pics. That last batch was impressive, almost like watching Dr. Pol. Lol! Good to know that Dexters only need an .5 acre since right now that seems to be the breed we are leaning toward.

I can't remember who posted that they were looking for Black Brandywines but a Tasteful Garden.com in North Alabama has starts for 5.95 each. I know that seems a little expensive but they are organic. I buy unusual starts (when I can't find seeds) from this company every now and then and I am always impressed with how healthy and large the starts are. They have a great web site too, lot of good info on there. Here is a link for the Black Brandywines:

http://www.tastefulgarden.com/store/pc/Black-Brandywine-Tomato-39p59.htm

 

[speckledhen]

Quote:
I tried to quote the entire post, Angela, but it only quoted the last thing you said, very weird glitch! And now my cursor disappeared, so odd. Gremlins. Good to know about the Cherokee Purple. You'll have to get used to a shorter, more delayed growing season up here in the mountains than you're used to, that's for sure! We were in the low 40's last night. Brrrr, very windy today after a rain during the night, so super chilly. We had warmer than normal temps last week, back to the cold stuff again.

No, no name for #2. LH says she likes Samson, though lockedhearts (Karen) named this son of Atlas "Samson" already, so brothers would have the same name, not really a problem. Probably be calling him "Sam" all the time. My D'Anver rooster, Spike's brother was a Sam. Other suggestions appreciated, though! Karen said I have permission to use this photo to sell his brothers so here he is. He is better than his daddy, one step closer to the original Rex, I'd say, maybe two or three steps, even.

 

[1muttsfan]

nice option for later if you want to cross back to your own line

 

[speckledhen]

nice option for later if you want to cross back to your own line

and I may get rid of him later on, but for now, seems prudent to hold onto this one, just to be safe.



NVM on what I wrote before- though I'd never seen spots on my Buff Orps' heads, I see that some folks say the chicks with spots on the head in the Buff Orp are likely to have tail smut and a richer gold color and are often pullets. Ellie's chicks here have super black spots and their color seems lighter than Buff Orp chicks I've had in the past.


My hatchery BOs, Ginger and Sunny as chicks:

 

[MistyMountain]

What kind of incubator do you use, Cynthia? I am considering getting one in the future, and it seems like the brisnea is superior in reviews, but I am not about to drop that kind of money on something I might use once a year.

Cold and rainy here today. DH started two brush fires outside and one in the wood stove downstairs. It is May, right?

I just dug up some mint and planted in it mason jars for the boy's teachers for teacher appreciation week. I'm going to attach a note saying "I gotta adMINT, you are an AMAZING teacher!" Kinda late doing it last minute, I hope the stuff survives. I tell ya, being head room parent and Earth Week committee chair, my budget for school stuff is maxed out. I hope they appreciate this little home-made gift.

 

[speckledhen]

What kind of incubator do you use, Cynthia? I am considering getting one in the future, and it seems like the brisnea is superior in reviews, but I am not about to drop that kind of money on something I might use once a year.

Cold and rainy here today. DH started two brush fires outside and one in the wood stove downstairs. It is May, right?

I just dug up some mint and planted in it mason jars for the boy's teachers for teacher appreciation week. I'm going to attach a note saying "I gotta adMINT, you are an AMAZING teacher!" Kinda late doing it last minute, I hope the stuff survives. I tell ya, being head room parent and Earth Week committee chair, my budget for school stuff is maxed out. I hope they appreciate this little home-made gift.

I have a Hovabator Genesis 1588 with preset temp and digital hygrometer built in.

Cute gift idea!

 

[1muttsfan]

I have the Genesis without the digital display, works quite well.

 

[1muttsfan]

Now loaded up with pretty blue eggs!

 

[1muttsfan]

They look a little of color but in real life are a lovely light blue.

I have not seen, or found any pics of, buff chicks with that pattern.