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

[speckledhen]

The test showed possible restriction of the bronchial tubes, what the technician called an obstruction, but the actual result will be in within
a week. I guess we'll see what we see about that.
Thought you might enjoy my new doormat. Found it at Tractor Supply when going for new muck boots; they had 20% off on home decor so I couldn't resist. It reminded me of the days when Isaac would take five or six of his hens and roam all over the wraparound porch, looking in every open door. Tiny would some up and eat the cat's food. Those were the days! Makes me almost regret keeping them all contained further from the house on their free range time. Found those pictures, too! All those sweet birds, come and gone, sigh... My own version of Porch Pirates!

This is Deacon, Isaac's son with the Tiny Terrorist (as far as we could tell from his lean body shape)

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Love all the chicken visitors from the past. Beautiful birds like always. Love your porch too.

 

[speckledhen]

Love the Mamas and Papas reference in your tag line, Lisa. I often hear that song in my head.
A seed for a new book just broke ground. My plan was to wrap up the current novel and pull out my quilting again for the winter, and I may do that, however, because some have told me that I should write about about chickens, I had an idea-weigh in on this for me, friends. It always seemed too daunting, but after writing two books, it doesn't sound so terrible to me.
Many chicken keeping books have been written, general ones and health-related ones, but there are some things we've experienced here with our flocks for almost 21 years that I have a slightly different take in mind. What about a book based on my experiences only, some of which I wrote in Roots, Rocks & Feathers:The Journey to a Peaceful Life memoir because chickens have been the stars on this homestead, such a huge part of my life for over two decades; my slant in the new book would be what almost no chicken keeping books address- the health aberrations and the stories, WTH moments and emotions involved, rooster behavior and personalities, the unusual and the entertaining.

I have just had the idea in the last few days, but as of yesterday, it keeps poking me in the ribs. It has to be different than the others on the market. Of course, I haven't read every chicken book on the market, but I have a collection of them from years back, plus Rob's "dummies" book, which is very good. Mine wouldn't be geared toward how-to, but what actually happened to us and our flocks. It would contain some of the RR&F content, rewritten for the new book, but others I could not include there because it was a memoir, not a chicken book, per se.

Thoughts?

Next question...would you ever consider being a beta reader for me? I guess the pay would be a printed copy of the book when published and the enjoyment of reading something not yet on the market if it never hits print. Would have to have an NDA, I guess, but most readers are not writers anyway and they only get a portion of the book at a time by email. Can't have just anyone do it. Not sure if it will be an e-book first, though, TBD. My younger son doesn't have much time and my older son doesn't read (no, he isn't adopted!)

Internet definition:​

A beta reader is an individual who reads an unpublished manuscript, typically after it has undergone self-editing and before professional editing, to provide feedback from the perspective of a typical reader. Their primary role is to evaluate the overall reader experience, focusing on plot, pacing, character development, and emotional impact, rather than correcting grammar or spelling. This feedback helps authors identify major story-level issues, such as plot holes or inconsistent character arcs, ensuring the manuscript resonates with its intended audience.

• A beta reader acts as a proxy for the future audience, offering honest, subjective reactions to the story as a whole.
• Their feedback is distinct from that of a critique partner, who focuses on writing craft, and an editor, who handles technical corrections.
• The term originates from software development, where "beta" refers to a pre-release version tested by users.
• Beta readers are often volunteers, fans of the genre, or part of writing communities, and they are ideally familiar with the specific genre of the manuscript.
• They are not expected to perform line edits or proofreading; instead, they highlight structural and narrative problems, such as pacing issues or a weak ending.

​

 

[1muttsfan]

Cyn, last year my allergies took a bad turn. I've never had any testing done, so I'm not sure 100% what I'm allergic to. But I know that being in the chicken coop long, or disturbing the bedding, sets mine off. I am also allergic to hay, when we still had horses here and when I had to handle the round bales it was almost torture. But all that has been going on for a couple years.

Last year was much much worse, to the point where I could feel and hear crackles in my upper chest, and just walking a half a block uphill from the post office left me puffing. My doctor finally put me on a Trelogy inhaler, which within six or seven days completely cleared everything up. But I was in a big funk because they cost $330 a month and I was afraid I would have to stay on it.

As it turns out, I got sick for some other reason after I had been on it for about a week and completely forgot about using it. But it had reduced my symptoms to the point where they were not noticeable.

Since then I have religiously taken a Loratidine antihistamine tablet every single day, used a steroid nasal spray once a day, and anytime I start feeling my chest getting tight or excess mucus, I take Mucinex either once or twice a day. It has relieved my symptoms by about 90%, enough so that I can do most of the things I used to be able to do, although I still run out of air sometimes if I'm really exerting myself. Ask me about running through the Detroit airport on my way to Dallas last week! Which I was able to do. I could not have done that a year ago.

 

[speckledhen]

Wow, Mary, you've been through the wringer! I'm sorry to hear that. I was taking Loratadine and the allergy guy had me take Fexofenadine instead. I tried the steroid inhaler when I was trying to see what worked, fexofenadine, steroid inhaler and Astepro inhaler for a week all at the same time. It didn't do anything for me, didn't seem to improve anything, but I guess that would depend on what is causing it. When they get the pulmonary function test back, I guess we'll go from there, maybe more extensive allergy testing, BUT it seems if it was any kind of allergy, some of all the things I've been taking would have an effect. He mentioned having a steroid inhaler on hand and they may go that route. I guess we'll see. I was also taking Mucinex for a long time. There was talk of allergy shots for several years to desensitize me from my "assailant".
I'm coughing and choking, eyes watering and nose running right now as I type. Try to type while all that is going on! It's been a trial since March. I hope I can get the relief you have, Mary.

 

[1muttsfan]

I know one thing if I vary from my routine things start going downhill fast. I really hope they find something that helps you more.

 

[speckledhen]

I know one thing if I vary from my routine things start going downhill fast. I really hope they find something that helps you more.

Thanks, I hope so, too.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Cynthia I read a book years ago call Hen and the Art of Chicken keeping and enjoyed it immensely. Sounds like you want to write something similar.

https://www.amazon.com/Hen-Art-Chicken-Maintenance-Reflections/dp/1592283233

I still hold onto my copy and occasionally read it again. It makes me laugh. Are you familiar with it?

 

[speckledhen]

I still hold onto my copy and occasionally read it again. It makes me laugh. Are you familiar with it?

I know the book, though I haven't read it. I guess I should!