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

[getaclue]

BTW, you gave fantastic information. Not many people on here can claim the longevity of their chickens like you can. I don't think that most realize their birds can actually live that long, with proper care. It reinforces the fact that you ARE doing things right.

 

[speckledhen]

Thank you for that. I doubt there will be any bashing. When Arya 28 started spouting nonsense, I posted a good thread, with links on the actual scientific findings. When Arya 28 got pushy, I pushed back.

Arya left the thread, and the OP began asking me questions. Lady of McCamley responded first with some very good information. I posted next, then oldhens chimed in too. People starting out, really needing good information, should be able to get it. That's what BYC is all about. They, nor their flock should have to suffer because of misinformation like that, or the guilt trip they run on people, insinuating that a good flock keeper will do it their way, since their way is so much superior. I don't have a cow, so I don't need the bull.

Haha, I'm going to use that line! Love it. And that thread has inspired a new YouTube. But, I have to charge my camera batteries first. I did not read all the replies but when someone on the thread recommended someone in particular, I had to answer. I can't let that all be one-sided.

BTW, you gave fantastic information. Not many people on here can claim the longevity of their chickens like you can. I don't think that most realize their birds can actually live that long, with proper care. It reinforces the fact that you ARE doing things right.

First, thank you. Second, I think that is really the proof of the pudding. If the all-natural crowd tried to get their birds to live that long, would they? I don't know. I just know that you cannot claim infallibility and mislead folks and then, when your way doesn't work for them, you blame them, not yourself. If I culled every bird by two years old, I'd never see any problems, either. Oh, wait! I did have a hatchery Wyandotte who had EYP at just over a year old, much younger than the rest (hatchery Wyandottes are the worst). And there was my poor Mary who had something go wrong very young. My fault? Hardly. Things happen, dang it, no matter what management style you have. To claim otherwise is to be a big, fat liar.

 

[kitkat5505]

On the topic of natural chicken keeping- on my local FB BYC group someone asked how they can make their chickens lay earlier in the day. She was annoyed that they weren’t all done before noon. You can imagine she got some pretty humorous responses from the group, such as “you may as well try controlling menstruation”. Everyone was very nice but let her know that chickens don’t lay on a schedule or timer, they lay when the egg is ready. Mine lay all day between sunrise and sunset. I had one lay last night after 6pm (when I last checked, and then I always check when I lock things up after they go to roost and was surprised to see an egg that late) that I know won’t lay today but will probably have an egg in the box bright and early tomorrow.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I answered on a thread just now. Let the speck-bashing begin. Gurus are watching, I'm sure. LOL. Lisa, you posted on it, too. Maybe you know which one it was.

I do. You gave great information and your opinion, both valid, and great as always.

 

[speckledhen]

Thanks, Lisa. I have my video created, but may have to wait to upload until later in the day, after prime-time TV is partly over with. Upload times can be 3 hours or 30 minutes, depending on the speed of the net at the time.

ETA: I had to verify my account because this upload is close to 17 minutes long and the normal limit is 15 minutes. And I did it with my Sony Cybershot so I'll have to see if I can stabilize it while on YouTube, something that is still available though they removed the editor program.

 

[speckledhen]

I'm going to the Humane Society's event in Blue Ridge today, Paws in the Park, to pet a few dogs because I miss mine, but here is the link to the video, longest one I've done yet, almost 17 minutes, but the backdrop is my 2nd old lady group, plus MaryJo and the four Brahma cockerels milling around.

 

[speckledhen]

On the topic of natural chicken keeping- on my local FB BYC group someone asked how they can make their chickens lay earlier in the day. She was annoyed that they weren’t all done before noon. You can imagine she got some pretty humorous responses from the group, such as “you may as well try controlling menstruation”. Everyone was very nice but let her know that chickens don’t lay on a schedule or timer, they lay when the egg is ready. Mine lay all day between sunrise and sunset. I had one lay last night after 6pm (when I last checked, and then I always check when I lock things up after they go to roost and was surprised to see an egg that late) that I know won’t lay today but will probably have an egg in the box bright and early tomorrow.

Well, wouldn't that be nice? Just lock up the nests at noon and they'll have to hold it until tomorrow morning, right? LOL

Oh, my husband and I were laughing until we were crying at this one:

 

[getaclue]

Hope you enjoy your day. Good video.

 

[speckledhen]

Hope you enjoy your day. Good video.

Thank you, Cheryl. We're back. I do realize that a jumping, crazy dog is not what I'd want anymore. I need a calm one, LOL. It was fun, though. So many kinds of dogs, plus llamas, alpacas and someone brought a horse and a pony, too. My realtor that showed us this house is the founder of the local humane society and I saw her there, as I hoped I would. Someone had two Dobermans they were walking, not for adoption, and I remember how much I love the breed, so elegant and smart. And if you don't know them, intimidating, too! They are not usually nutcases, either.

 

[getaclue]

There are a lot of older dogs available for adoption, and they're much calmer. That might suit you better, if you really wanted one. I love Dobermans too, and have owned a couple of them through the years.