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

[h2oratt]

We get mites from the wild birds, like the invasive dove that hangs around all the time.

 

[getaclue]

I'm not saying that wild birds, etc. can't/won't bring things in. I'm saying that a clean coop is better overall.

 

[speckledhen]

Adding to your rant, Cheryl. Start here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...of-good-flock-management.129278/post-24503300
You know so well how much I have been contacted for advice ever since I became known on BYC, right? Well, I thought up a catchy title and summarized my management philosophy in that thread so many someone would just be able to read about it, not PM me. So, every once in a blue moon, I get the ones who have to argue, that they can't do it, especially cull for illness. So, when did I say those were orders for everyone? I said it was a summary in the very first post, what I do and what works for me. I think the longevity and overall health of my flocks bears out that it is a good philosophy. I tell them that they make a hard decision that frees them up now for the future, or they don't make a decision to cull so they can never ethically sell adult birds, chicks or even hatching eggs (most have no idea which respiratory disease their flock has, just that it has something) and they have to always be careful with sanitation so they don't spread things to the flocks of other folks. It's their choice. Sadly, seems to me most never make decisions that inconvenience them and they go on to keep sick birds and sell whatever they want without disclosure to the buyer.
When I said that at this point in time, if my current flocks contracted something, not likely, but if they did, I might decide to just close my flocks because these may be the very last birds I ever have, period, and it will be easy enough for all to just stay put and die off, this person says something along the lines of then the rule #8 should be "it depends" . Well, no, not really. For me, early on, it was non-negotiable. If they were contagious, they would be culled, period. I wanted to be able to sell eggs and chicks and saw a long chicken keeping career ahead. I don't now so. Culling is still and always going to be the best choice for anyone truly serious about flock health, etc. But, you can read the convo for yourself. It frustrates me when they want to rewrite my rules, but they are *my* rules for me, (again "Ten Commandments* was just a catchy title) what works and what has worked for me for over 15 years. They can make their own decisions, but those have consequences and if they are not careful, there will be consequences for other people who may buy from them as well.

 

[getaclue]

speckledhen, While they're quick to argue, they're the same ones that can't keep their chickens alive for the number of years that many of us achieve. They'll argue, then a few months later, be posting about how they're having problems.

 

[speckledhen]

That is true. Anyone can have unexpected issues and I never said I was immune to those, but so far, so good on the contagious stuff. If you ask them where they got the birds, it's usually they got them at some less than savory place or they brought in others from somewhere and all the others got sick. Then, they compound the mistake rather than fix it.

 

[speckledhen]

I started a thread for the Dirty Dozen Plus One. New pics from today are in there.
New Flock 2021
I may have a broody Brahma, Bonnie. If so, she'll get eggs. They appear fertile now so if I sell those chicks again, considering the world situation, I will charge more for them. A customer once told me I didn't charge enough for my Brahma chicks, LOL. I wanted others to have them, too!

 

[speckledhen]

I don't think I posted the address of my new website. Please check it out; it's a work in progress. I have a quilted items for sale section on the blog area, plus I try to post something written every couple of days. The blog is called The Inside Dirt, but has a quilt section, a for sale section, one dedicated to Life on the Mountain, one for wildlife and one for Poultry. Since I was forced to monetize my YouTube channel (they were putting ads on my channel anyway so might as well get some of the action for myself), I thought a website might drive traffic there and vice versa, plus if they yank my channel down for saying what they don't like (it's a minefield), I'll at least have my website. Roots, Rocks & Feathers Farm
ETA: I dumped the website, wasn't satisfying at all, too much work for me right now.

 

[getaclue]

Impressive website. I'll have to explore it more.

 

[h2oratt]

I don't think I posted the address of my new website. Please check it out; it's a work in progress. I have a quilted items for sale section on the blog area, plus I try to post something written every couple of days. The blog is called The Inside Dirt, but has a quilt section, a for sale section, one dedicated to Life on the Mountain, one for wildlife and one for Poultry. Since I was forced to monetize my YouTube channel (they were putting ads on my channel anyway so might as well get some of the action for myself), I thought a website might drive traffic there and vice versa, plus if they yank my channel down for saying what they don't like (it's a minefield), I'll at least have my website. Roots, Rocks & Feathers Farm

Nice!

 

[speckledhen]

Druscilla off her painful legs, thanks to my husband who decided it was worth risking poop on his hammock to make her more comfortable for awhile outside.