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

[Wyatt0224]

Breeding question: I've read many times on on BYC that if you breed a rooster and he produces male chicks, in due time they'll have the same personality of their father. Obviously that is not the case all the time because Apollo is different from Atlas. Are you worried at all that Hector could pass his early aggressive attitude onto his sons?

 

[speckledhen]

Breeding question: I've read many times on on BYC that if you breed a rooster and he produces male chicks, in due time they'll have the same personality of their father. Obviously that is not the case all the time because Apollo is different from Atlas. Are you worried at all that Hector could pass his early aggressive attitude onto his sons?

Now, don't confuse personality with temperament. They have different personalities, certainly, however, their temperament is comparable; in other words, they are both non-human-aggressive. Isaac was easygoing, as was his son, Rex, and his son, Atlas and his son, Apollo. Temperament carried down the line.

So, Atlas and Apollo are very similar in temperament, but different in who they are and the way they are in the flock dynamic. Both are easygoing toward us. Atlas has never had to be subservient, being raised by a broody hen and pretty much being his own guy. Hector is the same. Apollo, on the other hand, was always under Atlas, always having to bow to his daddy and he generally takes that role as second banana in stride.


One example of a difference in personality between Isaac and his grandson, Atlas, is that Isaac would not stand for hens fighting. He's literally jump into the middle and break it up by landing between them and thunking heads. Atlas does not interfere with the hen squabbles. But, both are/were trustworthy around us.

 

[Wyatt0224]

Ah yes, thank you. I see the difference now. That answers my question. Thank you.

 

[1muttsfan]

Plus every bird is as individual as different people are. While my sister's and I are alike in some ways, we are very different in others.

Atlas' mother was also higher in the hierarchy, as well as an excellent and protective mother. His developmental months were spent in tranquility without threats. That also helps with a calm demeanor.

So sorry to hear about your old girls. My Dad's cat I'm sure was telling me goodbye when she sought me out.

 

[speckledhen]

Ah yes, thank you. I see the difference now. That answers my question. Thank you.

I'm sorry I didn't really answer your question fully-as far as Hector goes, if he is calm from here on out, I would feel fine breeding from him. He is very different from most other BR males I've had in his extremely early physical development as well as his adult-like behaviors toward the grown hens at a very early age. Once his brain began catching up to his body, he seemed to chill out a lot (that, plus some aversion therapy, though if he was a really mean guy, that would not have mattered, IMO).

He takes acorn pieces from my hands gently and when I hold out empty hands and say, "Sorry, Hector, all gone". He just looks up at me and walks off to find his own. Once he looked at my empty hands and sort of lightly tapped my thumb with his beak. He's been quite gentle lately and I'm seeing what he could be as a flock leader here. He never did flog me and there has been no more running up behind me like he did a couple of times in the barn aisle. Crossing fingers for this to continue.

Plus every bird is as individual as different people are. While my sister's and I are alike in some ways, we are very different in others.

Atlas' mother was also higher in the hierarchy, as well as an excellent and protective mother. His developmental months were spent in tranquility without threats. That also helps with a calm demeanor.

So sorry to hear about your old girls. My Dad's cat I'm sure was telling me goodbye when she sought me out.

You mentioned Atlas's mother. Though Ida was his biological mother, he was raised by Dottie and she was a perfect broody. He had the best education and he learned that the humans were good and never to be feared. I sure miss Dottie. She was my absolute favorite of the original Stukel hens. Druscilla, her daughter, is sweet, but really not the same personality of Dottie. Gosh, that was a great hen. I wish I had ten just like her.

 

[Wyatt0224]

Oh I'm sorry if I seemed sarcastic or rude in my response, I truly didn't mean it to seem like that. The reason I'm asking is that I'm going to try and get some form of heritage breed in the spring and I'm trying to get as much information as possible early on.

 

[speckledhen]

Oh I'm sorry if I seemed sarcastic or rude in my response, I truly didn't mean it to seem like that. The reason I'm asking is that I'm going to try and get some form of heritage breed in the spring and I'm trying to get as much information as possible early on.

Oh, not at all! I just realized I didn't answer what you asked about Hector's early behavior. No worries!

 

[speckledhen]

Attempts to photograph the Hector were minimally successful. He just won't stand still and pose for me. He and his girls will be 22 weeks old Wednesday.


Little crooked-tailed Thea. Not sure how I'll remove her from the group yet, but she is destined to be a layer only. She is so sweet.





Mary's backside and Jill. Jill has a very nice shape. So does Mary, if she'd ever stand up-she's copying Hector, I guess.





And a couple of fall pictures, dogwood and oak.

 

[1muttsfan]

Fall up here has between fabulous, now that it finally arrived

 

[speckledhen]

Beautiful. I love fall, but the leaves don't stay there long enough for me. We get these wind storms every fall that in one fell swoop, blow most of those gorgeous creations right off the trees overnight. Such a bummer!


So, Mary, what do you think of Hector so far? I wish those girls would start laying. We NEED eggs!