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

[speckledhen]

I've been having a rat problem. The trouble is, they don't want to eat the new baits. I got some things to try today, so I hope over the next few days, I can get it back under control.

We built the most predator-proof building yet...except for that dang corrugated metal roll-up door! It was not our first choice, but the company quit offering the double doors before we ordered the building. It allows mice to go around the edge at the channel because their bodies are so compressible. Also, at the very top, if they can climb the slick metal surface, there is a 2" by 6' opening because of the door rolling up. Great ventilation, but you can't close it up with wire because it would interfere with the door action. We just set traps with peanut butter near there where the chickens can't reach them and every few days, we catch a mouse that came in from the cold. I hate that with a passion, but until and unless we remove that door and put in a conventional double door, it will keep happening.

 

[speckledhen]

Blasts from the past...my CMA membership card. I was not only a member, but was briefly the public relations officer for the Hallelujah Riders we belonged to in Dayton, OH. And me in my realtor days that began in 1995 and ended in when we moved to the mountains (a job I'd like to forget- boy, human nature is on display way too much there, though it put two sons through college). Found both of these in an old makeup case I was looking for in the basement yesterday.
And another photo of me on the first bike we had, later got a Goldwing, taken on a trip we made with the chapter in the mid 80's. See, I wasn't always an old grump. It was sometime during my real estate stint that my thyroid went wacko and made me put on about 45 lbs, which is evident in the picture. Still haven't gotten the last stubborn 15# off.

 

[getaclue]

It's so nice to run across things like that, which bring all those memories flooding back. So you were a hot mama biker chick.....LOL!

 

[speckledhen]

It's so nice to run across things like that, which bring all those memories flooding back. So you were a hot mama biker chick.....LOL!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

@oldhenlikesdogs
Do you do anything to break a broody...or do you just let them hatch?

I've been getting 6-8 eggs/day from the new pullets. They started the last week in December at 27 weeks. There are 12 young girls and 3 that are 7 yo. One of the 7 yo's has started laying, but not consistently yet. I don't expect them to start again until end of Jan. based on previous years.

Most of mine get broke ASAP. I get so many it drives me bananas in summer. Sometimes I have a waiting list. I put mine is a pen away from the nestboxes. It works for most. A few standard cochins are usually determined and will still sit in the pen. If necessary I add a bantam rooster who keeps them up and moving.

My bantams I wait until all are broody than I block the nestboxes. Boy do they get mad.

I cannot possibly let everyone hatch. I would drown in chickens. I sometimes let one or two hatch out a couple eggs a year, and sometimes I get some to hatch out some turkey poults that l pull after hatching, and brood myself.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Do any of you feed a mash type feed? I want to survey people to see what they're finding to be the best feeder to avoid spillage/waste on that type of feed.

If no one here does, I think I'll make a thread and see if anyone answers

 

[speckledhen]

Do any of you feed a mash type feed? I want to survey people to see what they're finding to be the best feeder to avoid spillage/waste on that type of feed.

If no one here does, I think I'll make a thread and see if anyone answers

No mash. We feed mini-pellets from Tucker Milling, have for many years. That way, if the dump a bunch out, we can scoop it into a pan, blow out the shavings and dump it back in the feeder. That would be nearly impossible with a crumble/mash feed. I think way back at the beginning we tried a crumble once and it just got lost on the floor or turned to dust. Back then, we only had that galvanized metal hanging feeder.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Do any of you feed a mash type feed? I want to survey people to see what they're finding to be the best feeder to avoid spillage/waste on that type of feed.

If no one here does, I think I'll make a thread and see if anyone answers

I fed a mash years ago when it was the only thing I could find back than. It was just powder and I think there was a lot of waste. I personally prefer a pellet. I hardly have any waste these days.

 

[1muttsfan]

I am not fond of wet feeds in general, they need a tremendous amount of oversight to avoid mold issues. I do feed dry crumble sometimes, it's the only form of grower/finisher I can get up here.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I'm not feeding the mash wet which is why I'm curious as to how others feed for the least waste. The only thing that is an issue is that I'm using a protein crumble in he feed that ends up having a lot of powder. The corn is coarse ground and the other grains are whole. Of course, they want to pick out all the grains first and the in-tact crumble.

I wish I could find the protein as more of a pellet but it's not out there that I can find yet.