The Omega Rocks: The Last & Ultimate Barred Plymouth Rock Flock

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Those chicks are huge.

I think the tomato plants in the pots are able to warm up faster. The ones in the ground probably have cooler roots, so the growth is slower. Tomatoes love heat.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Today's video clip, plus a quick garden question at the end. They'll be 8 weeks old tomorrow. Am I wrong? Can they be this big already?

Tomato question: I might have gotten this reversed, because I was running back and forth to the kitchen while watching, but are you saying that the ones that stayed on the deck longer are bigger?

If so, it’s probably soil temperature. If the ones on the deck were in the usual black 4” pots, their soil probably heated up to a higher temp than that of your garden beds.

Tomatoes (and peppers) are even more dependent on high-enough soil temps than they are air temps. Here in the mountains, we’re all too familiar with this, and may of us used to wait until June to transplant seedlings, while potting them on into bigger and bigger pots while waiting. And on heat mats all the while.

Planting into cool soil and warm air won’t kill or even hurt them, but they generally just sit there and stare at you until their toasies warm up.

You can try putting strips of black plastic on the bed soil to goose it up a bit.

If I misunderstood what you were saying on the vid, please disregard! Whoops, there goes the timer again.

Edit: oldhen out-typed me!

 

[speckledhen]

Those chicks are huge.

I think the tomato plants in the pots are able to warm up faster. The ones in the ground probably have cooler roots, so the growth is slower. Tomatoes love heat.

Yep, those and peppers love heat. It has been pretty hot, then it went backwards and we got this cool day and still will have a night in the 40's before that's all done. Yes, those males are larger than my bantam Cochin hens already!

Tomato question: I might have gotten this reversed, because I was running back and forth to the kitchen while watching, but are you saying that the ones that stayed on the deck longer are bigger?

If so, it’s probably soil temperature. If the ones on the deck were in the usual black 4” pots, their soil probably heated up to a higher temp than that of your garden beds.

Yes, the ones in pots are at least twice as tall. The ones were put into the larger pots three weeks ago and they just went crazy growing while the ones in the garden are growing very slowly. You and Lisa are probably right, didn't even think of the black pots they're living in now and the difference in soil temps. Thanks, ladies!

 

[NanaK]

Agree with the comments about the tomatoes.
It is good to have plants in different stages of growth. You will get fresh tomatoes over a longer harvest period.

 

[speckledhen]

Yes, that is a definite plus!

 

[Ponypoor]

We had to change a few leg bands today and I snapped some pics. Dang, they are hard to photograph!
All four pullets are from Jamie's #7 pen, plus two cockerels from the same pen. The two white-banded males from Pen #3 are the least desirable, or rather, the smallest one is still at the bottom of the pile in my mind, plus he's a screamer. Both those white banded males from Pen #3 are "touch-me-nots", though the larger of the two has grown to a size comparable to the others from the other two pens. If I can calm his behind down some, he is looking nice at just under 6 weeks old. Funny how those two from the same breeding pen act just alike.
This pullet on Tom's knee is super friendly, always front and center. The two largest males are from Pen #7 (black band) and from Pen #1 (purple band). The two black banded males look really good, but they have the same sire as all four pullets. The most desirable ones for genetic diversity would be Pens 1 & 3. Still way early to make any decisions, just adding information.
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Gosh they are getting big! And lovely too!

 

[Ponypoor]

Tomato question: I might have gotten this reversed, because I was running back and forth to the kitchen while watching, but are you saying that the ones that stayed on the deck longer are bigger?

If so, it’s probably soil temperature. If the ones on the deck were in the usual black 4” pots, their soil probably heated up to a higher temp than that of your garden beds.

Tomatoes (and peppers) are even more dependent on high-enough soil temps than they are air temps. Here in the mountains, we’re all too familiar with this, and may of us used to wait until June to transplant seedlings, while potting them on into bigger and bigger pots while waiting. And on heat mats all the while.

Planting into cool soil and warm air won’t kill or even hurt them, but they generally just sit there and stare at you until their toasies warm up.

You can try putting strips of black plastic on the bed soil to goose it up a bit.

If I misunderstood what you were saying on the vid, please disregard! Whoops, there goes the timer again.

Edit: oldhen out-typed me!

Yes what we do here, we use black plastic to cover the ground, it helps to absorb the solar energy to warm up the soil. This is a trick strawberry farms use to grow their berries too. Also helps keep the weeds at bay.

 

[speckledhen]

I did plant some Brandywine seedlings in one of the black plastic totes and they're twice as tall as the ones in the raised beds. That black must soak up the sun and retain some heat, which we've seen precious little of lately.

I had to treat the Omega Rock chicks for coccidiosis since it's been constant wet conditions for two weeks and I saw the signs of it on the roost this morning. I haven't had to treat chicks in forever, but broody-raised chicks rarely seem to get it. We need some dry weather! The chicks are near the end of their susceptibility to it since they'll be 9 weeks old tomorrow; the worst time is 4-8 weeks, but I had to fill two one-gallon waterers treated with Corid for them to take for 5 days. I already treated them once about two weeks ago since I saw something suspicious, but since this bottle of Corid is older, I should have upped the dosage then, I guess. I am keeping their pen refreshed daily, but dang, those big kids can really poop! No pics because it's so dark in the barn today.

 

[speckledhen]

Today, the kids are 9 weeks old. I'm seeing some really nice standout males already, though it's way, way too early for any final choices. Made a quick video inside the barn because it's raining, yet again.

 

[Rusty Hills Farm]

Eye-popping for sure! What are you feeding at this point? Mine are on their 2nd bag of Tucker's Show Flock Starter and they are huge compared to last years chicks but sassy! I keep wondering if that's because of all the rain? I can't get them outside like I'm used to doing--everything is under water here like I've never seen before.


Rusty