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

[1muttsfan]

Yes, sounds hopeful. If he knows anything about chickens he will appreciate those two.

 

[Leahs Mom]

A service animal chicken.... I'm trying to picture that.

 

[speckledhen]

Yes, sounds hopeful. If he knows anything about chickens he will appreciate those two.

You never know. I think it does register with folks when they actually see them in person that they are much better looking, sharper, than the ones they're used to from the hatcheries. I always want to snatch them back when someone is taking them away because I sometimes have my doubts that they'll be cared for in the manner to which they are accustomed. Most folks don't have a big steel barn. We didn't, either, until less than two years ago, but the buildings were sturdy and predator-proof, other than the L-shaped storage barn that later became a coop. The up high soffit areas only had screening material, though a raccoon would have to hang off the roof and dangle and realize it could tear them out. And the double doors did not fit super tight after the building foundation sank some, so mice could get into one side, especially after the trim rotted out. But the ones built as coops were good buildings and safe for the birds, even against snakes when the pop doors were closed.

I always think they need a Chicken Hilton where they're going, but realistically, most don't get the same plush accommodations they were used to, I'm sure. They'll survive if a modicum of care was used in construction of their new place. And I am not so naive that I don't realize that some will be dinner at some point, especially if they make a mistake and tick the new owner off. I hope that Junior will be chill! He hates being held just like Hector still does. But Hector never really became mean and hopefully, Junior is as smart as dear old dad. Aramis calms down and has the sweetest eyes like Atlas and Apollo. Maybe the lady of the house will fall in love with him like I always do with Atlas sons.

 

[MistyMountain]

I really enjoyed the video, Cynthia. Thank you for sharing! It is really nice to get other people's perspectives on EVERYTHING. The way they run their farm, deal with adversity, etc.

We might be a little crazy over here. We're doing the opposite ... adding more animals. I also love the jerseys, such a peaceful kind look to them. In the end, we decided to get a dexter heifer for a couple of reasons. They come in tall and short, with the short being a chondrodysplasia carrier (dwarf). Our girl is a tall. First, we wanted something we could keep fed mostly on pasture alone. We have 11 acres, and rotate the heifer and horse through various pastures. The dexters are smaller, so less pressure on the pastures (and also a couple hundred pounds less of an animal we have to handle). Also, less meat should we beef any of the heifer's steers in the future, but that is actually a plus for us. We'll add a second heifer to the herd in the future. I like the idea of having our own milk, but did not want to be married to milking a cow twice a day OR have an over abundance of milk go bad in my refrigerator. The dexter seemed to fill that role, too. Enough milk to share with a calf if we choose to milk, but not something that we HAVE to milk because she has been bred to produce far more than one calf can handle.

Time will tell on how much we like our dexter. So far, we're pleased. She's got some sass in her, but gives in quickly. The thing I like the most is probably her intelligence. You can see in her eyes that she is watching you and connecting with you, and even moments of problem solving.

Annnnnd I just got the message last night that our first bull calf (of three) should be ready to be picked up on Saturday! <--- I no sooner wrote that and she let us know twins were born and wondered if we wanted them, too. I hit the feed store for milk replacer and bottle holders this afternoon. Things are about to get (more)busy!

Lisa, I am so sorry you had such rough cattle experiences as a child. We won't allow anything to keep horns here for those reasons. Our boys are expected to help out, and we need to make things as safe as possible for them. To us, that includes teaching them how to act and react around the animals, big or small, pet or livestock. We're always right there when they are handling the animals. No matter how tame they might be, dog, cow, or horse, the boys are learning to watch for signs and respect them. So many scary things can happen in an instant.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I do miss bottle raising calves, I was always relieved to get them to drink out of the bucket instead as holding on to that bottle gets rougher and rougher as the calf grows.

Miniature cattle are cute. Do you plan on putting a ring in the bulls nose as it gets older? Ours always had the ring. The neighbors were smarter and they attached a section of chain to the ring so their bull couldn't charge without stepping on the chain and causing himself some pain. Bulls are one animal that still terrifies me, magnificent to look at but so unpredictable.

 

[MistyMountain]

He says he's coming by around 5 p.m. to get both boys. I figured he'd come by after he left work. So, crossing fingers he does show up and get them. He also asked if we had any NN roosters, LOL. Nopers! But, sounds like he's breeding, not just eating.

This is great news!! I couldn't even give mixed EE roosters away here! We ended up giving them to a friend who raised them and either ate them or kept them with his hens. He recently told me about one we gave him last year who is now just HUGE. I was glad that at least one got to hang around and have a flock of his own.

I'm rooster heavy now, but the hens do not show any extra wear and strangely my 3 adult mottled java roosters continue to bow down and respect my 3 year old EE rooster. He demands a quiet and orderly flock, and they all listen!

 

[MistyMountain]

I do miss bottle raising calves, I was always relieved to get them to drink out of the bucket instead as holding on to that bottle gets rougher and rougher as the calf grows.

Miniature cattle are cute. Do you plan on putting a ring in the bulls nose as it gets older? Ours always had the ring. The neighbors were smarter and they attached a section of chain to the ring so their bull couldn't charge without stepping on the chain and causing himself some pain. Bulls are one animal that still terrifies me, magnificent to look at but so unpredictable.

Well, the bull calves are coming from a dairy, and will steered and raised for the freezer. We very briefly considered buying a bull to go with our heifer, but that requires so much more work in all aspects... stronger fences, a place of his own for some time, etc. And with only two to three full time heifer/cows, we can't really justify the risk. We'll either take our girl back to the farm she came from (they have an unrelated bull) or find a long distance relationship for her. I've already done some searching and have a couple love connection matches for her in mind. It is kinda strange... looking at these "personal" ads for bulls!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Well, the bull calves are coming from a dairy, and will steered and raised for the freezer. We very briefly considered buying a bull to go with our heifer, but that requires so much more work in all aspects... stronger fences, a place of his own for some time, etc. And with only two to three full time heifer/cows, we can't really justify the risk. We'll either take our girl back to the farm she came from (they have an unrelated bull) or find a long distance relationship for her. I've already done some searching and have a couple love connection matches for her in mind. It is kinda strange... looking at these "personal" ads for bulls!

So they aren't Dexter, Holstein? There's always AI too.

 

[MistyMountain]

Yup, these in particular are holsteins. We're just raising these. Our end game will be the dexters, because they seem to fit our plans so well. If Gabby has a nice heifer next fall, we will probably keep her. My horse is kind-of on his last leg, physically. He puts the most pressure on our pastures and is not an easy keeper in the winter. We feel we can keep 3 dexters here and their calves without over stressing any of our pastures. That will be our final goal. AI seemed like it was out of the question, financially, unless I learn myself. Our closest vet is a $75 mileage charge from the get-go (I should have gone to vet school...) plus syncing, which could be multiple trips... and then if she does not take... do that all over again. I was discouraged, but I recently made a new contact that may help us out in that department so things are looking up. I've also been keeping track of her heat cycle and pretty happy that I was able to detect it without any other livestock to tip me off.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Yup, these in particular are holsteins. We're just raising these. Our end game will be the dexters, because they seem to fit our plans so well. If Gabby has a nice heifer next fall, we will probably keep her. My horse is kind-of on his last leg, physically. He puts the most pressure on our pastures and is not an easy keeper in the winter. We feel we can keep 3 dexters here and their calves without over stressing any of our pastures. That will be our final goal. AI seemed like it was out of the question, financially, unless I learn myself. Our closest vet is a $75 mileage charge from the get-go (I should have gone to vet school...) plus syncing, which could be multiple trips... and then if she does not take... do that all over again. I was discouraged, but I recently made a new contact that may help us out in that department so things are looking up. I've also been keeping track of her heat cycle and pretty happy that I was able to detect it without any other livestock to tip me off.

I guess I always took for granted the AI guy down the road. Since he retired I'm not even sure anyone else does it around here. We have been out of dairy farming for 20 years now, seems so long ago.

I have an old donkey that keeps going and her two fat sons. I put my last horse down in 2012 at 30 years of age. So I understand the old equines. We have the opposite problem of too much pasture. We are currently attempting to plant trees and let some go back to wildlife habitat, though my husband is always itching to plant a crop somewhere.