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

[Wyatt0224]

Hector and his girls continue to look very nice.

 

[1muttsfan]

I find his lack of tail feathers disturbing

 

[GingersHuman]

Very odd indeed. I wonder if he will grow one.

 

[getaclue]

I HATE, unpacking and setting up a new house.

Glad Hector is behaving himself now. Grow tail grow.

 

[getaclue]

Speckled, I suspect you had something to do with me being interviewed. Thank you!

 

[speckledhen]

I find his lack of tail feathers disturbing

Very odd indeed. I wonder if he will grow one.

yeah, jury's still out on that one.

I HATE, unpacking and setting up a new house.

Glad Hector is behaving himself now. Grow tail grow.

Yeah, me, too, says the military wife. Been there way too many times.

Speckled, I suspect you had something to do with me being interviewed. Thank you!

Um, well.....maybe....

 

[GingersHuman]

Wanted to tell you I got my first pullet egg from my trio of pullets that will be 21 weeks tomorrow! Not sure which of the 3 laid it, but it's very exciting (or eggciting?)!

 

[Wyatt0224]

Can you give us a possible timetable for when we can see a stamp of approval for Hector??

 

[getaclue]

Watt, I think she said Hector is about 22 weeks old. His behaviour has turned around, like it should, so all seems good with that. She will know more about his tail situation over the next 3 to 4 weeks. Other than obvious flaws, and failure to thrive, which puts them in the cull category, with a heritage breed, it takes much more time than with hatchery stock.

I personally have waited until the remaining birds were 26 weeks old before making the final cut on who to keep for breeding. Usually I've not been disappointed by waiting.

 

[speckledhen]

Wanted to tell you I got my first pullet egg from my trio of pullets that will be 21 weeks tomorrow! Not sure which of the 3 laid it, but it's very exciting (or eggciting?)!

Very cool...and I'm jealous! I so need eggs right now! One of the Brahma pullets was sitting in a nest, but they are only 20 weeks old and I don't expect them to lay yet.

Can you give us a possible timetable for when we can see a stamp of approval for Hector??

Not specifically. He's getting closer.

Watt, I think she said Hector is about 22 weeks old. His behaviour has turned around, like it should, so all seems good with that. She will know more about his tail situation over the next 3 to 4 weeks. Other than obvious flaws, and failure to thrive, which puts them in the cull category, with a heritage breed, it takes much more time than with hatchery stock.

I personally have waited until the remaining birds were 26 weeks old before making the final cut on who to keep for breeding. Usually I've not been disappointed by waiting.

Agreed. I need to see him get a tail before I make a final decision. I could keep him or just keep Apollo, who is looking really, really good, and put Jill and Mary in with Apollo so he'd have his two plus two of the other line as well. Thea is probably going to have to go to another group. She has a flaw, plus her smaller size, but I need layers as well as breeders.

This morning, Caroline is going downhill fast. She hasn't eaten in days, just drinks and picks around food. Both she and Becca are dark in the face. It's going to be so odd for poor Amanda, who has never been without her sister, Becca, and pretty much has been with Caroline most of her life as well. Losing two of her friends might send her into a bad grieving period. Not sure who would be head hen after losing both of these. Amanda was second to Caroline and over Becca, but Amanda cannot walk. I'm thinking Gypsy will be head hen. It definitely won't be Tiny or Emily and not likely to be Panda, either. Snow is bossy, but she can barely walk herself and Gypsy picks on her some, too. I'm guessing Gypsy, but she will turn 9 years old next month herself.

We have two graves dug, but I told DH just this morning to dig a third-there's always one you don't expect while you're waiting for one or more you know are passing away soon. Happened to us often. While waiting for my Lt. Brahma's passing, my beloved crippled rooster, Zane, died suddenly in the cage underneath her. He crowed his way out, literally. Just dropped. So, you never know, especially with hens the age of the ones I have.