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

[MistyMountain]

I see no fence. Do they not wander?

Two lines of electric behind the pines and magnolias, all around the front and behind me taking the picture. This is just a "temporary" pasture. They are very respectful. Don't tell them, but the fencer is rarely on! We put them over in the orchard across the driveway with one strand. We're working on 5 strand high tensile wire out back, to match the paddock by the barn for when baby calves come.

 

[speckledhen]

Hopes for a healthy calf, Michelle. I see you still have snow. For those suffering the late winter blues, here are a few pics for you, not to make you jealous but just to show you something besides the White Death. I planted nastrurtiums, dahlias, zinnias and marigolds in various pots and locations around the place. I hope most of them come up. Those tulips are Angelica tulips, never had them before, so pretty. The daffodils are Salome daffodils. At least the deer won't eat daffodils. The last thing is my flowering almond shrubs. Bought them as sticks, really. They are not much for show, never got very big.

Monkey grass from my dad's house I planted many years ago that seems to have some new growth coming up, plus a peony bush that is ALIVE! It's a miracle! It's been in the ground for years already, but finally has actual form and leaves on it.

 

[MistyMountain]

Actually, no more snow here... pic is about 2 weeks old. I have not taken any new ones since, it seems my hands have always been full. Snow beats the muddy mess we have right now, anyhow!!
Love the flower pics! I figure we are about 2 weeks later this year than the last. The peaches are just now blossoming. I LOVE peonies! My neighbor had them growing up and she would cut some and give them to us to put in a vase in the house. I used to plant tulips with my Nana in the fall. It was always so wonderful to see them come up in the spring, after the cold went away. Wonderful childhood memories associated with all those flowers for me!
Do I see hostas coming up there, too? Ours have not come through the ground yet. The Rhubarb is doing well, though!

 

[speckledhen]

Do I see hostas coming up there, too? Ours have not come through the ground yet. The Rhubarb is doing well, though!

That is what is left of the hostas after my guineas chowed down years ago. I want to plant more but never want to spend the money for them, LOL. Our rhubarb is up, too, but it's at the bottom of the old chicken pen so I haven't checked on it in a few days.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Two lines of electric behind the pines and magnolias, all around the front and behind me taking the picture. This is just a "temporary" pasture. They are very respectful. Don't tell them, but the fencer is rarely on! We put them over in the orchard across the driveway with one strand. We're working on 5 strand high tensile wire out back, to match the paddock by the barn for when baby calves come.

Gotcha. It's just not showing well in the pictures. We just have a single strand of electric for the donkey area and it hasn't been electrified in about 10 years. They won't go through it. The goats on the other hand routinely check the electric, and will take advantage if it's off too long. Horses and cows tend to remember their lesson about electric fences.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

We are expecting a snow storm tonight through tomorrow. We could get around a foot. Not looking forward to it. At least it shouldn't stay long this time of year.

 

[kitkat5505]

Our weather has been so nice the past few days, then overcast and cool today. But should be back to sunny 60s tomorrow. My daffodils are blooming too.

Wish I had a broody raising these chicks, though they’re probably too old for one to accept anyway. I was not planning on raising chicks this year lol. I can’t keep them all anyway once they’re grown. We are only allowed 10 hens and have 9. But my next door neighbor said she was down to 5 so maybe she’ll want a couple. Assuming they’re pullets and assuming they aren’t broilers. Any males or meat birds will be given to anyone that would like to have them.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I walked her through the steps we used to rehab our dog from chicken killer to chicken guardian.

@MistyMountain
Could you please give us a tutorial?

 

[speckledhen]

I just put Druscilla in the hospital cage. Today, when I went to get Atlas back in his pen, she was sitting on the ground at the top of the rock wall, between a log and the fence. Wynette as picking at her like she was trying to make her get up. When I walked the wall to get her, she didn't stand as I approached and I was afraid she was hurt, maybe had broken a leg. But, she can stand, though she acts like she's in pain when you pick her up, In truth, she's acted sort of like that for awhile now and flexes her legs like Atlas does. She just looks very tired in her eyes. So, I felt it best she get a break from Atlas's attentions for a bit, just like we did with Lizzie.
Dru will be 7 years old in a few months as she was Wynette's sister's daughter with the original Rex, the only one I got out of him, so she's not a young hen. And she's a very large hen, too. Wynette herself, who is 7 years old this week, seems pretty spry. My splash Rock, Gloria Jean, who is also Atlas's girl, has been sitting on a nest for long periods, no egg. She isn't bloated now, but has been in the past more than once, just like Rowena. Gloria Jean is the exact same age as Wynette. Good thing I'm hatching. Both Atlas and Hector may end up with Brahma girls.

And my reallyreallyreally old hens stumble on......

 

[1muttsfan]

I understand that most of the time animals will respect electric fences. However. If the fence was off, and your animals got out into the road, you would have huge liability if anyone was hurt or killed, or if they damaged anything. Insurance companies take that kind of thing very seriously, not to mention the tragedy of badly injured or killed livestock. Believe me, I have seen it.