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

[speckledhen]

Well, may have a change of plan, or a delay. A sort-of neighbor and probably a relative of my husband's who lives a few miles from us may want the BR pair. He had an old Dominique hen who passed away and wants to replace her. I hope he understands that I want to sell the pair, not just the pullet. If so, I might go ahead and sell the pair and leave Lizzie with her one cockerel since they are over 6 weeks old. Waiting to hear when he may want them.

 

[speckledhen]

Atlas acted weird today. He has been having issues with both hock joints, not just his usual right one. I was going to put them back in after their outside time today and I found all his hens inside the barn already. Could not find Atlas. I called him, he didn't come to me. So, I went looking around the pen and finally found him laying down against the fence at the top of the rock wall by himself. He didn't stand up until I was stepping up the wall to reach for him. I carried him back inside and checked him out and can't see anything wrong with him. He's not old, only 3 1/2, but with a rooster, who knows? They have such a high-stress job and can drop dead suddenly at any age.

Oh, by the way, our friend will take all three of the BR chicks so Lizzie can go back to a group, probably Hector's (IF he'll lower himself to accept new members, sheesh).

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Oh no, hopefully he's just having a bad day, he's too young to go anywhere yet.

 

[speckledhen]

Oh no, hopefully he's just having a bad day, he's too young to go anywhere yet.

I hope so. He's a sweet boy, always has been. He's just never done that before. Usually, when I call him, he'll come running or at least, pop his head up so I can see where he is.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Leg issues can often be resolved with extra B1 and B2 vitamins. Some good quality raw liver, chopped very tiny, and fed is a good natural source. Also brewers yeast (not fortified - just plain) is also a good natural source. They love both of them so it's not hard to get them to take it. Mine will eat the brewers yeast free-choice if I put it in a bowl for them. Since you don't need it by the lb., I recommend the Lewis Labs Brewers yeast with nothing added.

Other folks who aren't concerned about using natural sources have had good luck using the children's poly-vi-sol (no added iron).


EDITED TO ADD:
There is a good amount of information on the leg issues and B vitamin (and a couple others) issues in the Merck Veterinary Manual as related to poultry. If it would help, I can post some links.

 

[speckledhen]

Leg issues can often be resolved with extra B1 and B2 vitamins. Some good quality raw liver, chopped very tiny, and fed is a good natural source. Also brewers yeast (not fortified - just plain) is also a good natural source. They love both of them so it's not hard to get them to take it. Mine will eat the brewers yeast free-choice if I put it in a bowl for them. Since you don't need it by the lb., I recommend the Lewis Labs Brewers yeast with nothing added.

Other folks who aren't concerned about using natural sources have had good luck using the children's poly-vi-sol (no added iron).


EDITED TO ADD:
There is a good amount of information on the leg issues and B vitamin (and a couple others) issues in the Merck Veterinary Manual as related to poultry. If it would help, I can post some links.

I have polyvisol here. Atlas's grandsire had severe arthritis and compromised circulation in his legs as a result, so ended up with frostbite on his toes even when his comb didn't get it (he slept on the floor in 2* weather rather than the warmer roost because he was having trouble getting up there one night). He was over 5 years old when I really began seeing that in Isaac, though. So, I was thinking maybe Atlas was experiencing early onset arthritis. But, will give the boy some liquid vitamins and see if they help him.

 

[speckledhen]

I have to show you this. This home was built using one of those two level sheds from Home Depot/Lowe's. I know it well, pass it every time I drive down a local highway, on which corner it sits. This is less than 900 sf on 1.62 acres on the highway, though the address is the street off the hwy. Now, it's cute inside, granted, but good grief, if this is worth $180K, my property is worth FAR more than $200K! Insane.

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/60-Old-Jerusulem-Rd_Mineral-Bluff_GA_30559_M58359-22572?ex=GA632426810

The other listing says 800 sf +, but this listing above says over 1100, which CANNOT be true unless you count the porches. This is the shed they built it from.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Best-Bar...-Wood-Storage-Building-richmond1628/206007201

 

[MistyMountain]

Wow. It does look cute inside, but knowing what those Lowes sheds look like on the inside without drywall is what scares me. Certainly not built to last... and not built to be a home! I would ask for pictures of the building process, whether or not they made different hardware/reinforcement choices than what comes with the package!! Maybe a good chunk of that money is for all that pavement!

 

[speckledhen]

Wow. It does look cute inside, but knowing what those Lowes sheds look like on the inside without drywall is what scares me. Certainly not built to last... and not built to be a home! I would ask for pictures of the building process, whether or not they made different hardware/reinforcement choices than what comes with the package!! Maybe a good chunk of that money is for all that pavement!

I think there's a lot of truth in that. I bet that a price reduction will be coming before anyone touches this one. I've never want it on that highway, which the driveway comes off of, not the road the address is on. But, that is insane. Our house has a full wraparound porch, 1088 sf in the main house, about 800 sf in the partial basement, plus a stand up crawl that is about 10' wide and goes the full length of the house, bone dry, perfect storage. Not to mention, 3.6 acres total, numerous outbuildings including the big steel barn, plus a real garden spot, fruit trees, etc, etc, etc, and no main road to contend with, either. And when you factor in that we had a down-to-the-studs remodel, including the entire kitchen, about four years ago, well, how on earth would that place be worth more than mine? No way. Same zip code, same town.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I watch some of those tiny house hunting show, and boy those pay way too much for the things. Much cheaper to buy a mobile home or RV. I don't understand it either, but apparently living small is in, so it's expensive. People are sheep always following the leader. You will never find my near the herd. I do my own thing.