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

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It is sad how we treat our soldiers. They sometimes don't get the support or good care they deserve.

 

[h2oratt]

It is sad how we treat our soldiers. They sometimes don't get the support or good care they deserve.

I agree, i was hoping trump would get our veterans more help.

 

[speckledhen]

Happy Independence Day, my friends! Remember who and what our independence was hard-won *from* today. Today is the first blackberry picking in a couple of years. The berries that we left on the perimeter fence line where we have been dumping poopy barn shavings are plump and oh-so-sweet, while the others that are compost-free are smaller and more tart, a good lesson and my vindication for that practice that my husband was never fond of, but which I insisted on continuing! Now, I think we'll expand on down that pasture fence line with the shavings. Most city folks would think these were just pesky old brambles (including the trespassing neighbor who mowed down an entire mature stand on my own property years ago that has never recovered), but folks, this is FOOD and free food, at that! No, they are not seedless, these are the real deal, but when you have one of my famous blackberry cobblers with melting vanilla bean ice cream dripping down it, maybe even some whipped cream on top, you won't even notice those seeds! Gather the bounty!

 

[getaclue]

speckled, seeing those, brings back so many memories of my childhood.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

We planted some BlackBerry this year.

I remember being sent out as a kid to pick berries. We wandered the woods and fields until we found some. It was hard not to get scratched up picking them.

I think these days without stores most people would shrivel up and die.

My mouth is watering at the thought of a cobbler.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

Well..... Bummer on the pain!!!

How 'bout some chick pics to cheer us up?

I have a cockerel story too...will tell later.

Here's the Dominique kids - 11 weeks old.

Green band boy

No band girl

Red & Green Bands (I only got a poor photo of this girl.)

Red & Blue bands...this girl has really long tail feathers. Not sure what's up with that.

I know this post is old, but...WOW! They are beautiful. How old? ETA: I see 11 weeks, lol. Mine are 12-13.
I‘d been a lurker, but.....I just couldn’t read through everything!
I see Atlas is quite the old man now.
I have a couple of Doms, and I am having THE HARDEST time sexing them. My guesses change every day.
Anyways, happy 4th!

 

[speckledhen]

I have a couple of Doms, and I am having THE HARDEST time sexing them

Oh, barred varieties are the easiest to guess. Post pics here and we'll tell you. By 12-13 weeks, you should know. Heck, they can be sexed at hatch! But at that age, males should be getting pointy, shiny saddle feathers beginning to show on the mid-back area or already hanging in a fringe.

Two hens and their sire...note color difference in male vs female

 

[TheOddOneOut]

Oh, barred varieties are the easiest to guess. Post pics here and we'll tell you. By 12-13 weeks, you should know. Heck, they can be sexed at hatch! But at that age, males should be getting pointy, shiny saddle feathers beginning to show on the mid-back area or already hanging in a fringe.

Two hens and their sire...note color difference in male vs femaleView attachment 2226888View attachment 2226891

I know, and I kinda feel like an idiot. One looked male at hatch, the other female. Now it’s reversed. There is no crowing, no saddle feathers, no roo behavior....
Pepper, who had a small head spot but it was a little broken up:

Salt:

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I know, and I kinda feel like an idiot. One looked male at hatch, the other female. Now it’s reversed. There is no crowing, no saddle feathers, no roo behavior....
Pepper, who had a small head spot but it was a little broken up:View attachment 2226920
View attachment 2226922View attachment 2226930
View attachment 2226913
Salt:View attachment 2226923View attachment 2226924View attachment 2226926View attachment 2226927View attachment 2226928View attachment 2226929

They both look like pullets to me.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

They both look like pullets to me.

Yay! I hope so, lol. I love Doms.