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

[speckledhen]

My Name That Pullet contest wrapped up today. The winner was a longtime subscriber. She suggested two names and I chose them both for the last two pullets. So, the four girls will be Ethel, Hannah and as of today, Tallulah (Tally) and Hazel. I used to have two BR mix sisters, Iris and Hazel and they spent most of their lives with a friend from here on BYC named Lee. Since they did not live out their lives here, I reused the name Iris three years ago for my little blue Iris and now, I have a new Hazel.
The four cockerels are still here, no bites on a new home yet. They are getting humongous. The guy with the floppy comb is still being a drill sergeant and all three others bow to him. He shows a lot of intelligence and I know he'd make a great flock leader for someone else. Everyone is doing okay in the Omega Rocks.

 

[speckledhen]

 

[speckledhen]

Ethel is actually separated. They pulled on her head feathers and pulled the skin up so it's an open wound, same as when Bailey was when I had several Brahma cockerels. She is in the hospital cage even as hot as it is because I have no open pens. I want to put all 7 boys in a pen and separate the girls so that she can heal and not be alone, but the boys may injure each other since they've been separated awhile. I hate this. There are no free pens. I had one, but had to use it for storage. There is no roost in there anymore. l am on my last brain cell in this insane heat.

 

[speckledhen]

And can I just add

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'd throw them all together personally. Sometime cockerel need some time maturing before they can be good roosters. I hate rough cockerels. They would go in the freezer here. I generally feel bad about that stuff, but not when they earn it. I know you don't do that Cynthia.

 

[speckledhen]

I'd throw them all together personally. Sometime cockerel need some time maturing before they can be good roosters. I hate rough cockerels. They would go in the freezer here. I generally feel bad about that stuff, but not when they earn it. I know you don't do that Cynthia.

I was thinking about just putting all the guys in the pen the Omegas are in now and all four girls in the back pen where the four sale cockerels currently are. I was about to try that, but a storm came out of nowhere this afternoon and cut the day short. Of course, I don't want Nathaniel or the other two to be hurt, but I don't have a lot of choice here. The two groups of cockerels may have to do without pullets until the girls are closer to laying age. I still want those four gone and may add either Duncan or Angus to that sale group if I think I just can't keep three after all, but immediate concerns first, make the pullets safer. I may even be able to incorporate the EE hens with the four pullets easier than if there are males in with them, then, they'll have eight hens instead of four. I have no idea which one hurt Ethel, of course, but I suppose they're just young and stupid. Like you said, they need to mature. Thank you, Lisa, I appreciate the advice.

Adding that I don't mind if others process their extras at all, and the two least desirable of the sale group may end up in someone's stew pot anyway.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I've pen terrible cockerel for their first year and when released they definitely acted better. Those first few months of surging hormones makes them a bit too much. Yours are bigger boys, and can do some damage. It's too bad. I always hope for them to behave mostly. I'm now spoiled by my bantam cochins. They tend to get not so crazy, and can't really do much damage.

You can only do what you can do. I am blessed with a husband that I only need to point to the naughty cockerel and they become dinner. Selling here is near impossible. Everyone has extra cockerel this time of year unfortunately.

 

[speckledhen]

You can only do what you can do. I am blessed with a husband that I only need to point to the naughty cockerel and they become dinner. Selling here is near impossible. Everyone has extra cockerel this time of year unfortunately.

You are very fortunate there, my friend. Mine is so soft-hearted that he can barely put down one that truly needs it like Bodie and Dane did. He has to have no choice to be able to even justify it. Little Man and Big Brother, the ones with freak-out personalities may end up doing that way anyhow. They are nutty. Big Brother will finally and very cautiously eat from my hand, but he's a royal pain to manage, he's always so scared of us as well as his own brother.
I do have one option I think. A man named Julio who lives in town and has taken some of my extra BR roosters may still be around. I used to have his card because he's a handyman. I may end up calling him to see if he wants at least those two if all else fails.

 

[rov]

hi @speckledhen just new but I have been reading some of your articles and all about rocks. that profile of yours is the reason why I started barred. from Marvin Stukel really really good

 

[speckledhen]

hi @speckledhen just new but I have been reading some of your articles and all about rocks. that profile of yours is the reason why I started barred. from Marvin Stukel really really good

Wow, that is awesome! You have some of Marvin's Rocks? You have quite a treasure, then. I'm always happy to see folks continuing those lines. They are so stunning, aren't they? Thanks so much! Hope to see you around here often.