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

[speckledhen]

I got this reply awhile ago:

Ok, let's do hatching eggs in the spring then. Please stay in touch.

I guess I'll be waiting unless someone gets with me before the end of the month. Many serious breeders have already un-separated breeding groups for the winter. I always want something done yesterday the moment I think of it. "Not Good At Waiting" should be on my t-shirt. I used to raise chicks in winter, had many hatches in January, but I just am not ready to do that this time.

My oldest are the two Atlas daughters at 9 years old, with Hector's last hen along with Bash and Brandy at 8 1/2. They may not last through this winter so a pen or two may be opening up by the time my next chicks hatch.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I love that t-shirt idea Cynthia. I'm not good at waiting either. My climate isn't good for winter brooding. It's probably one thing that stops me at times.

You never know, something else may come your way by spring. It at least gives you something to think about.

 

[speckledhen]

Good morning, Atlas thread family! I miss that big old sweet rooster. I've had the best roosters in my 20 years of chicken keeping, haven't I? I love their personalities, their different ways of ruling the flock, etc. I just love roosters. Never heard me say that, have you?
Finally, the election is done (that's all I want said about that subject on the thread, that this period of time is over and we can now concentrate on other things) and we can concentrate of our own small lives again. Not that this bunch neglected them anyway! Hard working people here. Thank you for all your support and friendship over the years on this thread and others.
I am happy to see new folks come into the thread when they do. If you're one of them, I'm sorry you missed the actual evolution and life of one of the best roosters to live out his long life here, but almost 15 years of thread are still here to follow if you are of a mind to do so.
There is no real news other than Atlas's two remaining daughters at 9 years old have his stiff joints at their advanced ages. Athena often will just limp outside and sit on the ground while her sister, Zara, and Jill and Maddie run around. Both Zara and Athena laid a handful of eggs before the molt began. The Stukel line seems to produce further into their lives than the Burk line, though I have only the two small groups to judge by. I will be happy to get hatching eggs in the early spring so I can start over with some beautiful, well-bred BRs.
How is everyone doing? Ready for winter? We have six more solar panels to install when we get the materials to build the long frame. I love having solar backup when our power goes out as it often does in the mountains. Apparently, the power company needs a new squirrel for their outdated treadmill, LOL.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Good morning Cynthia, or probably good afternoon for you. We are mostly doing well here. I have a thin goat, but I'm hopeful with a couple of wormings he starts to improve. I'm of my older rosters continues to look off. Otherwise everyone else is okay. I order a few more geese for next year. Didn't really need them, but gotta have something to do. I think I'm good at nearly a 100 chickens. I lost only one to predators this past year. Hopefully we continue with that winning streak.

We are ready for winter. Been in the 50's during the days. Husband went off to hunt in Minnesota, so I have a few days alone.

 

[speckledhen]

I used to have 55 chickens, but I can't imagine having that many now. I'm at 23, I think. 18-25 is a good number if I'm not overloaded with roosters like I am now.

 

[speckledhen]

I made contact again with Jamie Duckworth about BR eggs in the spring. I had to remind him where I lived, but he did answer me:

That's close, so mailing shouldn't take long. I will ship after I do a test hatch in February or sooner when they begin laying frequently to test fertility. Please stay in touch!
Jamie

We're close! It will cost, but hopefully, if the hatch is good, it will set me up for the future. I'm glad we have an extra free pen. I really don't think Bodie will make it, even after his one great day, so that pen should not be occupied. It's not large enough for a lot of birds, just shy of 5x8, but I could put a small group in it and give them the larger one if I had to do that.

 

[h2oratt]

I made contact again with Jamie Duckworth about BR eggs in the spring. I had to remind him where I lived, but he did answer me:

That's close, so mailing shouldn't take long. I will ship after I do a test hatch in February or sooner when they begin laying frequently to test fertility. Please stay in touch!
Jamie

We're close! It will cost, but hopefully, if the hatch is good, it will set me up for the future. I'm glad we have an extra free pen. I really don't think Bodie will make it, even after his one great day, so that pen should not be occupied. It's not large enough for a lot of birds, just shy of 5x8, but I could put a small group in it and give them the larger one if I had to do that.

That’s great. I haven’t had much luck with shipped eggs. Happy new year!

 

[h2oratt]

Good morning, Atlas thread family! I miss that big old sweet rooster. I've had the best roosters in my 20 years of chicken keeping, haven't I? I love their personalities, their different ways of ruling the flock, etc. I just love roosters. Never heard me say that, have you?
Finally, the election is done (that's all I want said about that subject on the thread, that this period of time is over and we can now concentrate on other things) and we can concentrate of our own small lives again. Not that this bunch neglected them anyway! Hard working people here. Thank you for all your support and friendship over the years on this thread and others.
I am happy to see new folks come into the thread when they do. If you're one of them, I'm sorry you missed the actual evolution and life of one of the best roosters to live out his long life here, but almost 15 years of thread are still here to follow if you are of a mind to do so.
There is no real news other than Atlas's two remaining daughters at 9 years old have his stiff joints at their advanced ages. Athena often will just limp outside and sit on the ground while her sister, Zara, and Jill and Maddie run around. Both Zara and Athena laid a handful of eggs before the molt began. The Stukel line seems to produce further into their lives than the Burk line, though I have only the two small groups to judge by. I will be happy to get hatching eggs in the early spring so I can start over with some beautiful, well-bred BRs.
How is everyone doing? Ready for winter? We have six more solar panels to install when we get the materials to build the long frame. I love having solar backup when our power goes out as it often does in the mountains. Apparently, the power company needs a new squirrel for their outdated treadmill, LOL.

What battery did you get to store the energy?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I made contact again with Jamie Duckworth about BR eggs in the spring. I had to remind him where I lived, but he did answer me:

That's close, so mailing shouldn't take long. I will ship after I do a test hatch in February or sooner when they begin laying frequently to test fertility. Please stay in touch!
Jamie

We're close! It will cost, but hopefully, if the hatch is good, it will set me up for the future. I'm glad we have an extra free pen. I really don't think Bodie will make it, even after his one great day, so that pen should not be occupied. It's not large enough for a lot of birds, just shy of 5x8, but I could put a small group in it and give them the larger one if I had to do that.

That's great news about the eggs. That's not too far off. How many eggs will be be sending?

 

[speckledhen]

That’s great. I haven’t had much luck with shipped eggs. Happy new year!

I used to have pretty good luck with them and he's only about 4 hrs away.

What battery did you get to store the energy?

We have six golf cart batteries currently with the four panels in operation. My husband's health has not been very good lately and his pain keeps us from getting projects done so the extra panels are still sitting in their boxes.

That's great news about the eggs. That's not too far off. How many eggs will be be sending?

I don't really know. I asked for as many as 2 doz, but I guess we'll see. If he doesn't send enough or I feel the hatch may not go well when they arrive, I will continue to try to contact Steven Gribble who lives about an hour or so west of me and see if I can pick them up in person. He's hard to get hold of, unfortunately.

Adding that my chickens are not likely to get outside until February. This is shaping up to be a much colder month than usual.