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

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I cannot stand irresponsible dog owners.

 

[getaclue]

Bash was sounding the alarm the other day, and Hector chimed in. You couldn't tell what it was about. Now you're hearing, and seeing dogs on the camera. Could it be that all this "spookiness" to the chickens has Hector in an ultra defensive state, and Tom spooked him, so he fired up on Tom?

 

[speckledhen]

Bash was sounding the alarm the other day, and Hector chimed in. You couldn't tell what it was about. Now you're hearing, and seeing dogs on the camera. Could it be that all this "spookiness" to the chickens has Hector in an ultra defensive state, and Tom spooked him, so he fired up on Tom?

The other day could have been about dogs on the power line easement, sure. But, today, Tom was literally laying down with his eyes closed on the hammock, a position he's in quite often. Hector is always charging him, but he does that to me, too, and I just pass it off as Hector being a goober since he's never hit my leg. He obeys me when I tell him to quit and go somewhere else. Today, Hector charged for absolutely no reason except he seemed to have found an opportune moment for a sneak attack. I wish I'd seen it. And, to be honest, I hope that if this is how he's going to be with either of us, he'd just "show himself" so I can make a decision before he's too old for anyone else to want his sorry butt.

 

[getaclue]

 

[getaclue]

Ok. I know he can be a goober, but he's never really done any harm before. Wow.

 

[speckledhen]

Ok. I know he can be a goober, but he's never really done any harm before. Wow.

No, he hasn't. To do this at 3 years old is odd. I haven't moved him to a different pen. Jill moving to a different pen to brood her chicks is the only change.

Today is Day 20 for Jill. One chick is in the air cell. The other isn't yet. I just put my Maglite to the aircell end of the egg in the nest to check them.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

No, he hasn't. To do this at 3 years old is odd. I haven't moved him to a different pen. Jill moving to a different pen to brood her chicks is the only change.

Today is Day 20 for Jill. One chick is in the air cell. The other isn't yet. I just put my Maglite to the aircell end of the egg in the nest to check them.

But you have lost birds recently. That can cause a flock disruption, and could make him more hyped up as @getaclue mentioned. Add in dogs, bird brain logic, and attacking Tom may be the answer to crazy Hector.

 

[speckledhen]

Hector hasn't known about any of the losses except for Neela, who he probably did see flip off the roost next to June from across the aisle, if she was even up there in the first place. She may have been on the floor before the last death throes started, but I don't know for sure. I know everyone was going nuts at the same time so he may have been doing it because they were. Neither Gypsy nor Maretta even moved when they passed quietly in the hospital cage. But, yeah, "bird brain logic" may have something to do with his behavior change. He may find out that attacking Tom is not going to give him whatever the desired results are. If Tom had had a .22, he might have shot him on the spot, he was that angry.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would hate to have Hector catch Tom off guard again. With Tom's bad back, and heart problems you don't need some big doofus rooster knocking him down.

Hopefully Tom carries a walking stick at least when he's out. I always have one handy these days. I would not fault Tom if he did use that gun. Roosters can be dangerous animals like all male livestock.

Around here any livestock aggression is dealt with by my husband inviting them to dinner because I can't deal with it either anymore. The crazy parrot, and cat gets a pass.

 

[speckledhen]

Hector is not a small-bodied rooster, either. I hope he temporarily lost his marbles, but I'm going to watch him closely and he's going to notice that Mom is not buddy-buddy with him fro awhile. Bad boys don't get attention....and he craves attention. We'll see. He's just so smart, this makes zero sense, this behavior.