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

[Leahs Mom]

I agree with you. If you can't provide for your animals, you shouldn't have them. Yes, I understand your need to heat the older birds. You might want to invest into some of those hot hand, pocket warmers too. That way you have a source of heat for them, if the power goes out. I have a friend that has saved more than one hatch when the power went out, using them to hold the heat, until her power was restored. They work.

On the hand warmers, how would you use them for adult birds? I guess you're talking about putting them into nest boxes? Also what kind in specific are you using?

I did pick up some chicks once in KY (I prefer to drive rather than ship) and they put the warmers in the box with them. I had just planned on keeping the heat in the car high. I'm not sure what she used but they were a soft cotton-like material.

 

[speckledhen]

On the hand warmers, how would you use them for adult birds? I guess you're talking about putting them into nest boxes? Also what kind in specific are you using?

I did pick up some chicks once in KY (I prefer to drive rather than ship) and they put the warmers in the box with them. I had just planned on keeping the heat in the car high. I'm not sure what she used but they were a soft cotton-like material.

They make the warmers in many different sizes, some fairly large, so it's conceivable you could help a non-ambulatory bird for a day or so with one of the bigger ones. But, they are definitely not convenient for a long-term situation. I keep several sizes here and buy them when I find a pack on sale.

My new couch is here. I was a little hesitant about the color, but as you can see, the little area rug in front of it has a section that is almost the exact color. I think we've put a lot in this big open space and delineated seating areas better than they used to be. My husband said, "Gosh, we could have the whole family here now" (as if he'd want that, haha). But, the dining would be an issue unless it was warm outside and we could eat on the wraparound porch or folks just at on coffee tables and end tables.

 

[kitkat5505]

Cheryl, glad you survived that. I'm glad there was nothing here. My older son suddenly showed up on Sunday when he was supposed to have to work. I had just sent him an email saying we'd be driving down to meet him at his restaurant this week, that I had made him something, but he answered back, "I'm at your gate!". Did not see another soul.

I can't forgo providing some heat spot to hens as old and disabled as I have. We're talking 9, 10, 11 years old and crippled or almost crippled. We are about to have an unusually frigid spell, certainly for this time of year, with possible negative actual temps and definitely negative windchills. If I had not done so, I feel that several would have already died. I would rather do that and risk a power outage, then pack them with hay/straw than do what the idiot down the road is doing right now, which makes me terribly angry. He has one of those dog kennel things, a stick across one end, a small blue tarp covering part of one end on top and only partially over the side by the roost right out in the open near the road. Not even a dog house for them to go inside. To me, if you cannot provide better than that for your birds in this climate, you should eat them or give them to someone else. It may work in warm climates, but it won't provide any shelter from wind or rain. That is not right at all. Ladyhawk's neighbor did that, not even with a tarp and his birds literally froze on the roost, froze solid. GRRRR!

Oh those poor birds they definitely shouldn’t have them if they won’t properly take care of them. Most of our pets are outdoors but we make sure they have a safe warmer place to go. The dog and cats have the whole attached garage that stays warmer, the bunnies have an enclosed area of their hutch (actually one of those little prefab chicken coops) that is filled with pine shavings and a board over the top and one side to help block the weather. And the chickens have their coop plus I put a tarp up on the side of the run the weather usually blows from.

That was nice of your son to drop by and surprise you.

We had a good Christmas. We don’t do a ton of toys, so the aftermath isn’t too bad. We do something they want, need, wear, read and one from Santa. Plus the kids draw names to get each other something for $5. I’m ready to get the tree and decorations down now and have my house back to normal.

 

[kitkat5505]

They make the warmers in many different sizes, some fairly large, so it's conceivable you could help a non-ambulatory bird for a day or so with one of the bigger ones. But, they are definitely not convenient for a long-term situation. I keep several sizes here and buy them when I find a pack on sale.

My new couch is here. I was a little hesitant about the color, but as you can see, the little area rug in front of it has a section that is almost the exact color. I think we've put a lot in this big open space and delineated seating areas better than they used to be. My husband said, "Gosh, we could have the whole family here now" (as if he'd want that, haha). But, the dining would be an issue unless it was warm outside and we could eat on the wraparound porch or folks just at on coffee tables and end tables.
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That looks comfy!

 

[speckledhen]

That looks comfy!

It is! I realize there are more decorator/designer type couches, but we are now looking for comfort as well as not spending an arm and a leg to replace things. I don't want a "buttoned-up, uptight" couch-reminds me of the old TV shows where the husband had his pj's buttoned up to his throat. I always thought that looked so uncomfortable! My husband spends a lot of time on the couch because of his demanding cat wanting in and out in the middle of the night so he doesn't disturb my sleep and the loveseat was not cutting it. He likes this a lot and he deserves some comfort.

I have to say something about cantankerous folks on FB (and here, but not so much BYC as we are a more laid-back bunch for the most part). My husband and some guy who had years ago asked to be a friend because they seemed to have something in common disagreed on a subject. It was not an argument, at least on my husband's part. He just stated his opinion. The guy pretty much figuratively walked off in a huff, saying, "That does it! Good bye!" and something about lack of respect. There was zero disrespect. I said to Tom that if 100% agreement was the prerequisite for showing respect, the person was not asking for respect, but for worship. It amazes me how crazed folks get when you don't pat them on the head and put a "like" on everything they do without question. If I don't agree, I either say nothing or I tactfully tell them that I disagree and why. I may be firm in my statement, but again, that's not disrespect. That's just two adults reasoning together. But, some cannot seem to do that without resorting to personal attacks/name-calling. Good grief. Doesn't pay sometimes to associate with people at all!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My Facebook is almost no friends, and is filled with puppies and storm troopers, and other various weird stuff. People take it too seriously. I should say I don't actually have a Facebook page, one of my dogs does.

 

[1muttsfan]

It bothers me when people passive-aggressively "ask"(demand) that you like, copy and paste their posts or they will unfriend you. Well, bye bye then.

 

[speckledhen]

It bothers me when people passive-aggressively "ask"(demand) that you like, copy and paste their posts or they will unfriend you. Well, bye bye then.

Exactly. I also can't stand the FB chain letters. Those disgust me. C'mon folks. Get real here. I'm got tired of asking "what just happened here?" when there is a hit-and-run unfriending.

One guy sent me a friend request once. I knew him from being on my husband's list so I allowed it, against my usual rules to not accept any. BIG mistake. The first response on one of his posts, he deleted. Then, he sent me a PM saying he did because I didn't follow his rules of posting, then told me how to repost what I'd said according to his rules. Say what? Aside from the fact that I saw no rules for answering his posts, and don't kowtow to men's arbitrary rules anyway, he sent me the request, meaning to me that he sort of knew my stances and accepted me and encouraged my input. I told him that I followed no man's rules in that regard and it was apparent he did not know me nor was a good fit for his crowd so I deleted him pronto. Of course, he called me names, chastised me for my attitude, blah, blah, blah. If someone asks me to be their friend on somewhere like FB, they darn well better do a little research into what I'm all about and by sending that request, they are accepting me, the way I address things, the way I write, etc. If not, they need to back away.

 

[kitkat5505]

I try to avoid getting into anything political, religious, or other heated topics on FB. It brings out the worst in people. I block or unfollow people who are constantly posting drama, I don’t need it!

Thought you’d like this shirt my husband got me for Christmas. I told him I wanted a cute chicken shirt. He gave me a weird look but got me one anyway lol.

 

[speckledhen]

I try to avoid getting into anything political, religious, or other heated topics on FB. It brings out the worst in people. I block or unfollow people who are constantly posting drama, I don’t need it!

Thought you’d like this shirt my husband got me for Christmas. I told him I wanted a cute chicken shirt. He gave me a weird look but got me one anyway lol.
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I'm with you, NO DRAMA! We'll bring out that Drama Llama and whap 'em! LOL

I love that shirt! And you are adorable in it. Are you sure you aren't one of the kids and not the mom?