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

[speckledhen]

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

Thanks, Lisa. Well, they're Rocks! Rocks are supposed to be strong and sturdy birds, right? I see that MaryJo and Atlas produce beautiful chicks, but it's a bummer I can never keep them. Oh, well. Time for a change.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have seen chicks on this site that don't look as healthy as yours. Having them broody raised does make a huge difference too. I swear they find some special something out there foraging that makes them grow faster and bigger than human raised and brooded chicks. When I let hens raise mine they end up terrified of me. Yours seem to remain friendly, what's your secret?

 

[speckledhen]

I have seen chicks on this site that don't look as healthy as yours. Having them broody raised does make a huge difference too. I swear they find some special something out there foraging that makes them grow faster and bigger than human raised and brooded chicks. When I let hens raise mine they end up terrified of me. Yours seem to remain friendly, what's your secret?

Well, it depends on the hen, really. These are a little skittish, except for the two boys. I tell you, I'm a rooster magnet, LOL. The girls calm down slowly over time, too, though. Some hens really love for us to "co-parent" and those chicks are the friendliest of all. But, it's in the nature of these, generally, to be friendly birds. I have no idea what happened with Lizzie and Tessa other than Tessa is Ida's daughter (not sure whose mom was Lizzie's, could have also been Ida) and Ida was my growling, grumpy girl.
I think that bright sunshine makes them grow better, I really do. And the fresh air and exercise they get with a mama is all the better.

 

[speckledhen]

This quilt sort of grew. It was supposed to be a twin, but it's a definite full size or a twin bedspread size. Machine quilting will draw it up by a couple of inches, but right now, it measures about 76x99. It can still go on a twin bed with great overhang or a full, either one, even a queen it will cover, as you can see on my own bed. There are two pillows on each side up there under it so with only one pillow, it could be tucked, I think.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

So pretty. Great choice in colors and shapes, it screams spring.

 

[speckledhen]

So pretty. Great choice in colors and shapes, it screams spring.

Thanks. So do the daffodils and hyacinths blooming in my yard! When the hyacinths are fully open, I'm going to snap a photo for you. Tulips are right behind them.

I wormed every bird in my barn except for the Brahmas. Some had been given the first dose in January, but some had not. The Brahmas had and I'll be giving them another dose after everyone else has been over the entire period of withdrawal. I thought Aubrey was going to die on me, he was so purple when I caught him. His heart is failing, I think. I'm not going to worm him anymore, not worth it. I wanted to be sure that Lizzie and Tessa were wormed before they went to a new home if anyone buys those heifers.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Flowers? You are so lucky. I can't remember flowers or green grass anymore. I would love to see yours.

My oldest buff Orpington rooster turns purple when caught too. It's always a bit frightening to see. We trim spurs occasionally, and I try to be quick at it.

I hope your girls find good homes. They will be a nice addition to anyone's flock. Much better than my hatchery barred rock.

 

[h2oratt]

Thanks. So do the daffodils and hyacinths blooming in my yard! When the hyacinths are fully open, I'm going to snap a photo for you. Tulips are right behind them.

I wormed every bird in my barn except for the Brahmas. Some had been given the first dose in January, but some had not. The Brahmas had and I'll be giving them another dose after everyone else has been over the entire period of withdrawal. I thought Aubrey was going to die on me, he was so purple when I caught him. His heart is failing, I think. I'm not going to worm him anymore, not worth it. I wanted to be sure that Lizzie and Tessa were wormed before they went to a new home if anyone buys those heifers.

What do you use for worming? Do you do any preventive mite spraying?

 

[speckledhen]

What do you use for worming? Do you do any preventive mite spraying?

I've been using Valbazen to worm since it gets all worms and starves them out over several days, doesn't kill them all at once, which can clog their system with dead worms if they have a lot of them.

I don't spray for mites. I've only found mites on my birds one time the entire time I've had them, but I expected it because of the older hens who cannot dustbathe or refuse to try like Snow. Amanda tries, but I can't get them outside in the dirt much, them being completely crippled. I just used permethrin-based poultry dust on them all after I found Snow with mites, then saw a couple of tushies with little almost too small to see critters running on their bums. Until that, I had never dusted any birds, or done anything. I also think that this new management where they don't stay out all day in respective pens has contributed to that. They all get out and can get dust baths, but they don't have all-day access like they used to on sunny days. That is another reason I want fewer groups that need to be separate so they can all be outside longer each day. I've been running the bantams outside with Georgie's group, though it didn't help much because the old hens keep hiding from Spike, LOL.

 

[speckledhen]

Flowers? You are so lucky. I can't remember flowers or green grass anymore. I would love to see yours.

My oldest buff Orpington rooster turns purple when caught too. It's always a bit frightening to see. We trim spurs occasionally, and I try to be quick at it.

I hope your girls find good homes. They will be a nice addition to anyone's flock. Much better than my hatchery barred rock.

I don't know. I hope they chill. Neither are the super friendly/sweet hens that Wynette and Dru are. Good layers of giant eggs, yes. Beautiful, yes. A royal pain, YES. Lizzie spent the rest of the day in that separate pen with Tessa harassing her sister. Liz is a bully when she can get away with it, but a change of location/flock may change all that. I spent all that time trying to fix her when Atlas hurt her leg, took months, and she's completely healed, but unlike birds becoming friendlier after a period of close contact caring for them, she didn't get any less "DON'T TOUCH ME!".

And Tessa, I was ticked at her. She was bullying Athena. I went in there to stop her. She jumped on a roost and as I approached her and said her name (she could tell I was not happy with her by my tone, I'm sure), I saw her hackles come out and that look in her eye. I said, "You're doing that to the... wrong... person, you heifer!" and I snatched her up and threw her in that other pen, followed by Lizzie. That's Tessa and it has never endeared me to her.