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

[speckledhen]

By the way, MaryJo's first eggs are fertile. I'd be very tempted to just throw caution to the wind and hatch them with the next broody, even if Atlas is the sire. I know what I'm risking. I hope that she does not carry a dwarf gene, but honestly, the only way to know that beyond actual genetic testing is to put Atlas over her and hatch a number of her eggs. If she never throws a dwarf, then she may not be a carrier, though I realize I am creating carriers by doing so. If she isn't a carrier, she can be with Hector and I would have some beautiful birds in the future.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Oldhen, no matter how small each life is a jewel. If we are fortunate eventually time smoothes away the sharp sorrow and leaves the softer memories of all our friends who have left us, both human and animal.

Thank you for your kind words. Time does heal all wounds.

 

[speckledhen]

I put this on Hector's thread, but I made a short clip of him running up to me in his classic Hector fashion so you could see what he does. He is so predictable.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thank you for that, I needed a good laugh today. He's a big meaty boy.

 

[speckledhen]

Thank you for that, I needed a good laugh today. He's a big meaty boy.

Isn't he a goof? He does this all the time. Silly thing. Now, if Jill would just lay an egg or two, I would feel better! She looks like she ought to soon.

 

[speckledhen]

Oh, I forgot I snapped a picture of Atlas when I was leaving the barn. Every time he molts, he gets more white in his tail feathers. One has bars that cross it diagonally-never saw anything like that. He is such a sweetie, never pulls those Hector antics. That's Wynette in front and Druscilla behind him.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I guess that would be considered a fault, but I like it. His tail carriage is better than Hectors isn't it. Which do you consider more correct to standards?

 

[speckledhen]

I guess that would be considered a fault, but I like it. His tail carriage is better than Hectors isn't it. Which do you consider more correct to standards?

His tail is actually a tad high, but yes, better than Hectors. His main fault, other than his barring not being all that great, is that his back is rather short. What I love about Atlas other than his sweet nature, is his regal head. He had a great head/comb and a good eye. He has changed as he has aged, which is pretty normal. Isaac also had more white in his tail as he got older, much like someone getting gray hair, it seems to me.

What I love is that Atlas's sons are almost always superior to him, probably because their mothers are so nice. He's a good sire and would be even better if that pesky dwarf gene was not lurking in him.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That dwarf gene sure is a heart breaker. I got attached to your last little one.

 

[speckledhen]

That dwarf gene sure is a heart breaker. I got attached to your last little one.

Me, too. Pooh was so sweet and plucky. She made it to 14 weeks, longer than I expected. It's just that they'll never lay an egg, never breed, just eat food until they suddenly pass away and you never know when that will be, just that they won't make it to maturity. She was memorable, that's for sure. She didn't know she wasn't going to live on and I know she enjoyed her days with Cora as her playmate.