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

[speckledhen]

Soup is good food....

Yeah, that Delaware cockerel I processed a long time ago was real good "Jake Stew", but I'd probably never process a rooster unless he was aggressive to humans. I'd come closer to giving him to someone who wanted a rooster unlikely to attack them and hope the change of location would change their perspective a bit.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I do think that change of venue can make a real difference. I've had that experience with a couple of hens and roos that have gone to a new location.

 

[speckledhen]

Well, here goes. I may regret it in 10 minutes. I NEVER sell adult birds. I feel like I'm betraying these girls at their age.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/barred-ply-rock-hens-2-stukel-lineage-fannin-co-ga.1223312/

 

[Leahs Mom]

If you regret it, you don't have to sell.

I know i have forgotten the details of who was causing trouble. Were these 2 causing trouble?

 

[speckledhen]

If you regret it, you don't have to sell.

I know i have forgotten the details of who was causing trouble. Were these 2 causing trouble?

Well, they do cause a lot of chaos in Atlas's pen, beating up on MaryJo. And neither is as friendly as the older Stukel hens. Plus, Tessa, as I said, is a brat and a half. Plus, they're both broody types. Plus, the chance they both carry a dwarf gene, in addition to Athena and Zara, who already carry one, etc, etc. I guess I could put Atlas back with four hens and put these on a pen with June and Georgie, who would beat the snot out of them, but again, they are two hens who are at the point that they'll begin to slow down laying. I already have too many who don't lay now. That will be two more in a year or so.

ETA: Wendy is still stressed out today. She wants to be held by me or Tom constantly when we're in the barn. That is completely out of character for her. Poor thing was assaulted brutally yesterday and I guess she needs a another day or so. Her head is healing up fine.

 

[speckledhen]

I have to say that I just love a great head hen! That June may be 10 years old, but she can still lay down the law better than any I know. Lizzie and Tessa have been causing a ruckus with that group late this afternoon. I had taken them from Atlas and put them back with Georgie and June's group so Mary Jo would have some peace. I also put Atlas back in that pen next to Bash and let June's group go back to the larger pen where Atlas has been living next to Hector (with high walls so they can't fight across them). Well, their sisters, Athena and Zara don't like them because they are bullies to them, too, so they were perched on the nest to get away from their older sisters.
I came into the barn and saw a fight going on and found Lizzie on top of poor 8 year old Alice Blue, pounding her in the head. June had already got herself up on her favorite roost spot in that pen and was settled down for bed, but she raised herself up slowly, jumped down and began to walk toward the fight. When Alice saw June coming, you could hear just her voice, "All right! Backup is on the way! You're gonna get your butt kicked, Lizzie!", so Alice got her second wind, slipped out from under Lizzie and started pounding her right back.
When June got to them, all she had to do was look Liz in the face and drop one shoulder toward her. Lizzie's eyes got big and she ran off, LOL. I was cheering June on then, and she did the same to Tessa. So, June is going to do her best to keep order. I hope it doesn't give her a heart attack at her age!

 

[1muttsfan]

Poor Wendy. She looks stressed.

 

[speckledhen]

Poor Wendy. She looks stressed.

She seems better today. I let her out with her normal group. She got the law laid down to her by June and then, Wendy got hold of Lizzie and told her to watch herself. So, she's back. Her comb or the base of it, anyway, is healing up fine. She just doesn't look like herself.

 

[speckledhen]

Atlas babies! The boys' barring is so sharp, it's a shame that this entire line is ruined for me to breed from now. These will look like Apollo did, I'm sure, with that spectacular Stukel tail. They're 4 weeks old now, just waiting for Maretta to dump them so Grady can come pick them up.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Good capture of the "stink eye" on that third picture. Your chicks always look so strong and healthy.