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

[h2oratt]

He's a black mottled bantam cochin.

Do you feed your rooster a layer? Otherwise Orpington roosters are big heavy breed. It is easy for them to hurt their legs jumping down from the roost. Just a few thoughts.

Yes I do. He is in with all my layers so eats with them.

 

[speckledhen]

Been making my happy stars today, in between fielding all sorts of emails. I have six done, ten to go.

 

[speckledhen]

Yes I do. He is in with all my layers so eats with them.

Though they say that the excess calcium in layer feed encourages gout, none of my roosters have ever had that. They do suffer from arthritis as they age just like some of the hens, at least some of them do. My little guys never have and they eat layer feed, too.

It's hard to say what's going on with him. Has his color in his comb been off lately? Observe that, too, because if his heart is failing, and it happens with some very large birds even at a younger age, he will become extra tired and just sit a lot.

 

[h2oratt]

You mean Suede? Suede was a Blue Orpington. He was just over 5 1/2 when he passed away. Bash is still with me, a Blue Partridge Brahma.

Oh yes sorry. Suede was your orpington.

 

[h2oratt]

Though they say that the excess calcium in layer feed encourages gout, none of my roosters have ever had that. They do suffer from arthritis as they age just like some of the hens, at least some of them do. My little guys never have and they eat layer feed, too.

It's hard to say what's going on with him. Has his color in his comb been off lately? Observe that, too, because if his heart is failing, and it happens with some very large birds even at a younger age, he will become extra tired and just sit a lot.

Ok I will check. I haven’t noticed the color being pale. Do any of you use the injectable ivomec for mites and worming? I have a bottle bought for my dogs but never used it. We had a chicken with mites. He was segregated the whole time but I would like to do a preventive on my chickens. If I can use that I would rather to use it up. I found 1 cc per quart of water for 2 days. I keep checking random chickens but I have not seen mites on any others.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Yes I do. He is in with all my layers so eats with them.

I have found my roosters aged very quickly eating a layer and we're often dead by age 4. A few years back I switched to an All Flock ration with a separate bowl of oyster shells for the calcium needs. Now my roosters are living longer, and aren't acting feeble at a younger age. This has just been my experiences. Roosters don't need all that extra calcium, and everyone benefits from a bit higher protein.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Been making my happy stars today, in between fielding all sorts of emails. I have six done, ten to go.
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It reminds me of Easter colors.

 

[h2oratt]

No his comb and wattles are bright red and full so I don’t think he is ill..

 

[h2oratt]

I have found my roosters aged very quickly eating a layer and we're often dead by age 4. A few years back I switched to an All Flock ration with a separate bowl of oyster shells for the calcium needs. Now my roosters are living longer, and aren't acting feeble at a younger age. This has just been my experiences. Roosters don't need all that extra calcium, and everyone benefits from a bit higher protein.

The mill I buy from doesn’t have an all flock ration. I like what I feed because it is organic, non gmo, nonsoy but I have heard the extra calcuim isn’t good for them. In my rooster pen I feed their gamebird ration but they pick out the grain and leave the pellet. They free range also.

 

[kitkat5505]

I liked your FB page

Been making my happy stars today, in between fielding all sorts of emails. I have six done, ten to go.
View attachment 1269113

So cute what a fun pattern and colors.

We’re actually getting some winter here finally. Snow is coming down and it’s supposed to be in the 20-30s this week.