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

[speckledhen]

Wow, they sure are big, and nearly all feathered. Glad to see more hens than roos too.

And all belong to MaryJo. Makes me wish I could convince Hector to accept her, now that Rowena won't be with him anymore. She still may be a dwarf gene carrier, but with six chicks hatched, obviously not one dwarf. What if she is not a carrier? She is perfect for Hector, especially if she's a pullet producer. Gosh, too bad I can't do genetic testing on her.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I pay for a private email address. I don't like using the free ones due to privacy issues.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I also agree and can confirm that mareks is often the "go-to" diagnosis when proper testing hasn't been done. Have seen that happen to folks many times.

And I don't think that @oldhenlikesdogs is paranoid when it comes to being concerned about having the flock destroyed.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I also agree and can confirm that mareks is often the "go-to" diagnosis when proper testing hasn't been done. Have seen that happen to folks many times.

And I don't think that @oldhenlikesdogs is paranoid when it comes to being concerned about having the flock destroyed.

I like following the rule of keep your head down and your mouth shut. Learned that as a kid.

 

[getaclue]

I'm so sorry to hear about Rowena. I know it's not going to be easy, since you get very attached to your birds, but I know you will do what's best for her.

speckled, you may want to pen Hector by himself a few days, then introduce him to Mary Jo. Maybe, if he went without any hens for awhile, he would accept her. That would be a fantastic pairing, and would give you great younger stock to carry on your line.

 

[kitkat5505]

How is Rowena today?

I think I’ve got one dying too. my son’s hen Jane that has always had laying problems. Went out today and she was just sitting on the ground. Brought her in and her vent was bloody. She didn’t even flinch when I was checking to see if she had a stuck or broken egg (couldn’t feel anything). Won’t stand or eat. Gave her some calcium and a warm bath. Going to see if I can get her to eat some eggs. But I’m not hopeful she’ll make it this time, she’s looking way worse than ever before. My son is going to be crushed if she dies. :*(

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sorry to hear that. Seems like seasons changing brings out illnesses in birds. The up and down temperatures I believe causes stress in some already stressed. I see more birds passing in early spring and fall, than other times of the year.

 

[h2oratt]

How is Rowena today?

I think I’ve got one dying too. my son’s hen Jane that has always had laying problems. Went out today and she was just sitting on the ground. Brought her in and her vent was bloody. She didn’t even flinch when I was checking to see if she had a stuck or broken egg (couldn’t feel anything). Won’t stand or eat. Gave her some calcium and a warm bath. Going to see if I can get her to eat some eggs. But I’m not hopeful she’ll make it this time, she’s looking way worse than ever before. My son is going to be crushed if she dies. :*(
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ah, she is pretty, I love that partridge color. Prayers for her.

 

[speckledhen]

I like following the rule of keep your head down and your mouth shut. Learned that as a kid.

Good rule, Lisa.

How is Rowena today?

I think I’ve got one dying too. my son’s hen Jane that has always had laying problems. Went out today and she was just sitting on the ground. Brought her in and her vent was bloody. She didn’t even flinch when I was checking to see if she had a stuck or broken egg (couldn’t feel anything). Won’t stand or eat. Gave her some calcium and a warm bath. Going to see if I can get her to eat some eggs. But I’m not hopeful she’ll make it this time, she’s looking way worse than ever before. My son is going to be crushed if she dies. :*(

I'm really sorry, Kara. Poor girl. Ro is weak and has that awful smell. She is not eating unless I bring her something special and she isn't pooping other than that smelly green stuff running down her fluff, though her color was better today. I let her out by herself in the sunshine for a good long while.
I hate to say it, but it doesn't look hopeful for your poor hen.

I'm so sorry to hear about Rowena. I know it's not going to be easy, since you get very attached to your birds, but I know you will do what's best for her.

speckled, you may want to pen Hector by himself a few days, then introduce him to Mary Jo. Maybe, if he went without any hens for awhile, he would accept her. That would be a fantastic pairing, and would give you great younger stock to carry on your line.

I may try that at some point. It would be such a waste not to try her with Hector. She is a beautiful hen and has made some gorgeous chicks with Atlas. Atlas won't be happy about it. Already, he has only four hens, three without MaryJo. If he'd allow Zara and Athena into his pen, I couldn't hatch from them, of course, however, they'd take the stress off his other girls a bit. But, I hate for what happened to Wendy to happen to either of them!


Oh, my poor kitty was goosed by Wendy today. He was stalking a squirrel in the chicken pen, had been watching it for awhile. Wendy came back from free ranging and went right for him. He never saw her coming and she hit him right in his fluffy butt, LOL. He turned and hissed at her.

 

[kitkat5505]

Lol at Wendy going after the cat. My cats avoid the hens when I let them out, one is terrified of them and tries to keep a low profile but has gotten ran off a couple times.

Jane was actually doing a bit better this evening after spending most of the day resting under a heat lamp. Stood up and picked at her food a bit. I’ve been using a syringe to get water with electrolytes in her. Still not out of the woods though and if she pulls through somehow, I really think it’s just putting off the inevitable, I’m pretty sure she has some reproductive problem that she won’t recover from. She’s not even a year old yet.