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

[speckledhen]

My Orpingtons were actually one of my most heat-tolerant breeds. It's amazing, considering how large they are. Thankfully, it was not hot today and last night was actually pleasantly cool, so it was definitely not heat related anyway. Ladyhawk has a 10 year old splash Orpington hen, or she did before she rehomed her entire flock recently due to her health issues. She was given that hen by a friend of hers (and mine, too, sort of) who named all his Orp hens with the names of Presidents' wives. This one is Mary Todd, for Mary Todd Lincoln, LOL.

 

[speckledhen]

Sorry to hear about Dusty, Cyn. She was so pretty, and sure lived a long and eventful life, sounds like right up to the last.

Thank you, Mary, she was revered here. Funny story, though. Her first batch of chicks was rejected at 3 weeks old. She literally began chasing them to kill them. I had to rescue them. I thought it was sort of weird because up until one day, she was a great mom. The second time she went broody, she raised them up until 5 weeks old, then, same thing, she was chasing them around the then-strawberry patch, trying to kill them and they were hiding from her, traumatized! She never went broody after that time.

 

[getaclue]

Sorry to hear about Dusty. Even when you expect it to happen, you discover you really weren't ready, when it does happen. Yes, Orpingtons are a good breed. They're large, but tend to be heat tolerant, and they are usually friendly, and gentle. She was beautiful. Again, sorry for your loss.

 

[speckledhen]

Sorry to hear about Dusty. Even when you expect it to happen, you discover you really weren't ready, when it does happen. Yes, Orpingtons are a good breed. They're large, but tend to be heat tolerant, and they are usually friendly, and gentle. She was beautiful. Again, sorry for your loss.

Dusty and her long-gone sister, Smoky, were not super friendly, as in liked to be picked up and held. The Blue Orps for some reason always seemed to be less cuddly-friendly than the Buffs I've had, except for Suede. Suede was a treasure, just a complete treasure. But, I like the hens who take no guff and can give that "look" to any other chicken and it will stop in its tracks. Dusty was one, Caroline was one and Suede's hen, Meg, was one. Funny that all three were Suede's-Caroline and my Lt. Brahma, Miranda, started out with Suede, being the largest hens other than Orps we had at the time.

Now, my biggest love is my blue Partridge rooster, Bash. He is the most gentle rooster ever. He will let me just pick him up most anytime, such a love. In a way, he reminds me of Suede, though they were different breeds. But, he like Suede needs huge hens to handle his size. I think the Orps were more heat tolerant than any of my birds except for the tiny Belgian D'anvers. Strange, but true.

 

[GingersHuman]

Sorry to hear about Dusty. Those old hens are a treasure.

 

[Hamiam]

January 12, 2015.....

I'm at Page 66.... I feel foolish crying over a rooster that died over 2 & 1/2 years ago. I guess I have a tender heart for Chickens & People that Love Them.

Vera

 

[speckledhen]

Sorry to hear about Dusty. Those old hens are a treasure.

Yes, they are.

Someone was asking about the son of Hector on the FB swap. Then, some guy popped in and offered him this as a BR rooster. ACK!!!!!! Some folks need an education on this subject. I hope he doesn't fall for it.

 

[speckledhen]

January 12, 2015.....

I'm at Page 66.... I feel foolish crying over a rooster that died over 2 & 1/2 years ago. I guess I have a tender heart for Chickens & People that Love Them.

Vera

Aw, Vera, I still tear up over my lost boys at times. I sure miss some of them greatly.

 

[speckledhen]

Sent the guy a private message and he seemed very grateful that I stopped him from making a mistake buying BSL or mix. I just hate seeing people taken that way.

 

[1muttsfan]

Maybe his name is Stewpot