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

[1muttsfan]

You know how much I like my Arkansas Blues - small birds that lay lots of L to XL eggs, quick and cautious, however they might be tempted to fly out of your enclosures. They do not like to be handled, but are not freaky wild, and they lay the bluest of all the blue egg layers I have had. I have never seen nor heard of a rooster that was aggressive. So far no broodies, either - I prefer hens to lay eggs and not spend a lot of time on nests.

 

[1muttsfan]

I also ordered chicks from Sand Hill, Delawares, Speckled Sussex and something new to try out - Buff Catalanas. Supposed to be small hardy white egg layers.

 

[speckledhen]

I also ordered chicks from Sand Hill, Delawares, Speckled Sussex and something new to try out - Buff Catalanas. Supposed to be small hardy white egg layers.

Let me know how your Delawares turn out. I'd hate to have an entire flock of Georgies! She thinks she is an 8 lb parrot. If you deny her petting, she will bite your leg. And in her old age, she's even worse. She will flog and rush you if you don't pay attention to her. She's only done that in the last couple of years (she'll be 9 in Feb). They are smart and sometimes, too friendly, as in trip hazards. Isaac had a bare spot on his throat for years from them picking at him, and they scarred up his wattle, too. They tend to be very mouthy, as in exploring everything with their mouths, which some folks interpret as aggressive. They do bite fingers as chicks, a lot. So, be warned! But, yours may be different than mine, though Isaac had a touch of Sandhill Preservation in him. I'm not sure where the dwarf gene originated. He also had Meier and McDaniel in there. They certainly were dedicated free rangers, going far and wide.

I like your ABs. I'm not sure how I'd like good flyers, but as I would intend to free range more and all birds are in the barn when we're gone, it might not be much of an issue.

I tried to put the bantams out with Georgie's group and ended up having to corral Spike and put him back in his pen alone. He wanted to attack and fight every single hen. Aubrey tends to stay away from them, though he did get into a staring match which ended up in sparring with one of the hens. But, that Spike! Sigh. I thought about giving him away with Mina and Sissy-they are not very cuddly and they don't lay, though Sissy should, being only about 3 yrs old or so. Spike is 5 yrs old and he'd be a good breeder, has no spurs. This is why free and no $$. They may lay when they go somewhere else, but can't say what would happen. But, I want them to be well-cared for, not raccoon-bait.

If I want good free ranging birds, I ought to just get guineas again. They get more of their own food, generally, and though they are seasonal layers, if they produce a few more of themselves on occasion, that may offset predator losses from them being stupid. Or Egyptian Fayoumis who are said to be highly resistant to diseases like Mareks.

 

[1muttsfan]

Fayoumis have good disease resistance but are poor layers, and very seasonal.
I've never had better Delawares than the ones I've gotten from Sandhill, they are really quite nice birds. They are smarty pants though!

 

[speckledhen]

Fayoumis have good disease resistance but are poor layers, and very seasonal.
I've never had better Delawares than the ones I've gotten from Sandhill, they are really quite nice birds. They are smarty pants though!

Yes, they are! And they know it, too. I wish Georgie was more like her late sister, Ellie, who was super sweet and not clingy like Georgie. And of course, you know how much we loved big Ike.

I've heard the Fayoumis are not great layers. But, if they're seasonal, it would be better than my D'Anvers! They are " never-layers". At the end of last year or beginning of this one, but Aimee and Carly, and I think Mina, did lay a few eggs each, but that was it. Before that, they all took a year off. I would never get rid of Aimee and Penny, but if I could be sure Spike had a good home, I might consider letting him go with Mina and Sissy, or just Sissy. Mina is up there in age and she's Spike's mother.

My husband is watching the Sound of Music. I cannot tell you how much I loathe that movie, almost as much as I hate The Christmas Story with Ralphie (shoot your eye out already!). And I hate musicals or anything with hokey song numbers in it. He will literally watch ANY movie, just because it's a movie. My idea of a horrible day is watching movies from sunup to sundown. I will watch one once in awhile if it's one I really want to see, but just because it's a movie? No way. And forget the old ones, too. I am very picky with my viewing and my music (actually, I prefer no music, just quiet). I want to stay outside, but I have things to do and I can hear it from everywhere in the house, even the basement.

 

[robhuncor]

A few years ago I got some Golden Campines just because the chicks are the cutest ever! They turned out to be great. They are on the smallish side, very active and talkative but beautiful. They are very prolific layers of medium white eggs. They are also the healthiest of all the chickens I've had. I still have my original Campines and they must be about 5 years old now. When all the other old girls have packed in laying for the winter, they just keep churning out the eggs. Some people are turned off by their constant "chatter" but I love a hen that talks to me!

 

[speckledhen]

A few years ago I got some Golden Campines just because the chicks are the cutest ever! They turned out to be great. They are on the smallish side, very active and talkative but beautiful. They are very prolific layers of medium white eggs. They are also the healthiest of all the chickens I've had. I still have my original Campines and they must be about 5 years old now. When all the other old girls have packed in laying for the winter, they just keep churning out the eggs. Some people are turned off by their constant "chatter" but I love a hen that talks to me!

Thanks for that review, Robin. They are sort of similar in coloring to the Fayoumis. I don't mind chatter too much, just the stupid alarmist cackling that Hector does that gets the entire barn in an uproar. Will look into the Campines. I have never had a white egg layer.

 

[1muttsfan]

I looked in to Campines one year but they are not suggested for the kind of extreme cold we experience here.

 

[speckledhen]

Has anyone on this thread ever had Salmon Faverolles? They are known to be very docile, I've heard, even the roosters. But, I think they are heavy, so maybe not a good choice.

I used to have two Welsummer hens, too, but sold them. I might get more later. They are smaller, more upright large fowl hens, very pretty of course, with some egg color variety.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I love my salmon faverolle. They are very meek and friendly. I like them. They aren't exactly great layers but their personalities make up for the lack of eggs. Otherwise Ameraucana, which you are familiar with and Easter eggers are decent birds.