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

[cppeace]

Sorry for the plumbing issue, but at least it was a quick fix. I agree. Unless you are wealthy, you can't afford not to know how to fix most things. My guy knows and is capable enough to do most things I can't handle myself. Plus, you know, is a giant and reaches everything

 

[1muttsfan]

My BF is great about trying to fix things, however since he is an ironworker his idea of fixing things is to get a bigger hammer . But my dad taught all of us how to do things for ourselves, and repairs like that usually get done by me around here. One of the best things he gave us when we were growing up was self-sufficiency.

 

[speckledhen]

Wasn't a super quick fix, but it seems to be fixed now. We are both dragging, had to lay down for a quick nap this afternoon. Probably will go back and read my Kindle book and fall asleep again once the chicken barn is locked up for the night. I am ready for fall weather so we can do our firewood cutting and finish up the canning. We just froze some stuff and will take it out and can it later when the weather is cooler.

 

[speckledhen]

Had a little Atlas emergency this a.m. It all started with a simple spur trim for the big guy. They were very long and straight out so he was almost tripping over himself and I was afraid with the way he sneak attacks the hens, one would be hurt. We had trimmed about 1/4" each not long ago, but they had grown back out so I wanted to take off about 1/3-1/2 of each spur this time, leaving him with maybe a scant inch each. So, out comes the Dremel, our usual way of cutting them, always works, cauterizes the blood vessel.
The first one did fine as usual. The second one would not cauterize. Blood was going everywhere and it kept gushing. Never had that happen in all the spur trims we'd done. DH tried a pressure bandage, and it just dripped on through, tried everything but it was still gushing so we went back up to the house.
Atlas was wrapped in a towel and being surprisingly good-he usually struggles a lot and he's a very strong boy, but this time, he was pretty cool with mama whispering into his ear. I finally said we're going to have to find another way to cauterize this thing! DH did not know offhand where his soldering iron was, so he got the torch he used yesterday on the pipes, heated up a long screw held with some pliers and stuck it into the vessel and around it, making sure the bleeding stopped.
Our deck and steps leading up to it looked like a crime scene. We had to take off the clothes we'd been wearing, of course. But, Atlas is fine, will check later to be sure it's not bleeding again. The way this was going, he literally could have bled to death, not a fate I want for my big baby boy!

 

[kitkat5505]

Holy cow! Glad you got it cauterized!

 

[speckledhen]

Holy cow! Glad you got it cauterized!

Me, too! That was a little scary. The Dremel has always cauterized them just fine, did the first one without any issues and the second was not cut any shorter than the first one. Sweet Atlas, he was so good the entire time and I got to do something I rarely get to do, hold my boy.

 

[speckledhen]

Completely off topic, my husband and I are considering setting up a revocable trust in lieu of a will for this property and our assets (though this place is our main asset). We made wills in the Air Force back when our sons were around 8 and 10 years old, naming guardians and such, but they are 38 and 40 now, so not relevant. Plus, his brother is dead and I no longer want my sister named in it anywhere so that, too, is irrelevant. And I never want one dime of my estate to go to my DIL, who is cheating on my son and still in his house and on his bank acct (long story), in case we both die at the same time. This way, I can really get specific about what happens with the estate and avoid probate entirely.
Here is information on it, if you are unfamiliar: https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/create-a-living-trust-in-georgia

 

[kitkat5505]

It sounds like a good idea to get that all taken care of. We really should get a real will set up, just haven't gotten around to it.

So I went to TSC yesterday for rabbit food and they have their fall chicks out. So adorable. I didn't get any (yay self control!) but they had BR "pullets". I'm pretty sure they had a good amount of cockerels in there based on the head spots. Definitely wouldn't trust an employee to know the difference and pick them out correctly if I was getting some. I sent a picture to my husband and said "don't worry, I didn't get any" lol. I haven't told him that I might be getting some quail though...

 

[speckledhen]

When did they start doing "fall" chicks? This is the first year I've heard of that.

 

[kitkat5505]

This is the first year they have done fall chicks in most of their stores. They don't have as many as they do in the spring.