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

[speckledhen]

I'm sure you're awesome little ones will be fine.

Yes, they will. I've always put them out in the coops at 2-3 weeks old, if I remember correctly, but these are probably the most active I've ever had. If there were five or six, they might could stay inside longer, but eleven rowdy hooligans is a bit much for this size brooder.

 

[1muttsfan]

I think that if the company that makes the feed is reputable and makes quality products, their chick diets are going to supply everything the little ones need without added supplementation. It can be easy to overdo vitamin and mineral supplements, especially if made for other animals or adult birds.

 

[speckledhen]

I appreciate that, Mary, and I do agree that over-complicating their feed can lead to undesirable results, as in the fermented feed fad. I have never been a fan of complicating what should be a basic management with the feed; After Jamie mentioned it, I was thinking more along the lines of occasional supplementation in winter, not all the time. I wonder if he does this every single time as it seems to indicate. All mine are fine from now until we get to the gray of winter again, I think. I've never given cod liver oil at all. Jamie mentions Red Cell in his booklet, as I said, and I used to have a bottle for a rare boost with molt or ailing birds, but IMO, it's too high in iron for chickens. I quit using it at all because I know it's not made for poultry and it just got old and I threw it away. I've never done any regular supplementation myself and have had good success with Tucker Milling products over the past 20 years. The only thing I want to pay attention to is to have slightly higher protein levels for these big birds who put on such a large frame first. I sure am not getting any cement mixer!
I did get some Tucker Milling starter made for game birds which I have to mix with the lower 18% protein starter (28% is too high for chicken chicks, of course) mainly because it still contains animal protein, but I have decided that later, after they're out of the baby stage and I have to buy more feed, I will just go to the Show Flock Developer at 21% as their sole ration until they're mature. It is vegetarian, however, by that age, they'll be getting some green forage and we'll be into summer so they can get bugs, mice and all those tasty treats on their own. And boy, will they because BRs and Delawares were always my best foragers and hunters.

 

[Ponypoor]

Thanks, Rusty. I think they're a great bunch. Today, though, I have about decided that after tomorrow's cold morning, they will be going out to the grow-out pen. I was going to wait an extra day, but it's insanity in that brooder!
They had an absolute rumble this morning. It was like WWE Wrestlemania with all the sparring and tag team matches! They are fearless and it's becoming a challenge to change the shavings and refill their water. They have to be allowed more room to groove so tomorrow afternoon, they will be transported to their new quarters and we can reclaim our dining area (barring complications, of course). Should be some rip-roaring fun in Omega World!

I look forward to some fun videos!

 

[Ponypoor]

I appreciate that, Mary, and I do agree that over-complicating their feed can lead to undesirable results, as in the fermented feed fad. I have never been a fan of complicating what should be a basic management with the feed; After Jamie mentioned it, I was thinking more along the lines of occasional supplementation in winter, not all the time. I wonder if he does this every single time as it seems to indicate. All mine are fine from now until we get to the gray of winter again, I think. I've never given cod liver oil at all. Jamie mentions Red Cell in his booklet, as I said, and I used to have a bottle for a rare boost with molt or ailing birds, but IMO, it's too high in iron for chickens. I quit using it at all because I know it's not made for poultry and it just got old and I threw it away. I've never done any regular supplementation myself and have had good success with Tucker Milling products over the past 20 years. The only thing I want to pay attention to is to have slightly higher protein levels for these big birds who put on such a large frame first. I sure am not getting any cement mixer!
I did get some Tucker Milling starter made for game birds which I have to mix with the lower 18% protein starter (28% is too high for chicken chicks, of course) mainly because it still contains animal protein, but I have decided that later, after they're out of the baby stage and I have to buy more feed, I will just go to the Show Flock Developer at 21% as their sole ration. It is vegetarian, however, by that age, they'll be getting some green forage and we'll be into summer so they can get bugs, mice and all those tasty treats on their own. And boy, will they because BRs and Delawares were always my best foragers and hunters.

I was shocked to see my 7 month old silkie kill and eat a snake! This was when I first got chickens - got it on video she slurped it back like spaghetti! Yummy!

 

[1muttsfan]

Every fall I buy at least a dozen winter squash and A half dozen pumpkins which I keep in my just above freezing garage and dole out about once every 2 weeks. That plus fresh greens and other scraps give the girls both something to do and I think a good nutritional boost, combined with fiber.

 

[speckledhen]

Sounds like they'd like that. Some of mine would eat the squash/pumpkin seeds, but some just wouldn't. I've grown squash in the past and given it to them, though I don't always do much extra beyond their feed unless they're molting or ailing in some way. We don't eat many vegetables anymore, mostly meat and eggs, though I've grown kale and spinach for them in past years. I try to always remember my own advice about providing good quality feed geared to the age and function of the bird. I've seen folks attempt to make their own feed mixes and it's far too complicated and error prone, IMO, for the average chicken keeper, as well as labor intensive, plus I don't believe it really saves much $$, if at all, though I could be wrong.
I thought it was interesting how Jamie feeds his own flocks, (I admit the cement mixer thing threw me a little and I expected him to say a feed brand name, really), but there is no way that I would do something that involved. It's just not feasible for my life with having to do more things by myself now that my husband's degenerative disc disease is worse and his pain level increased. It's enough that often, I have to carry those 50# bags to the barn myself. I can do it, thankfully, but some days it ain't easy. Even though I lift weights, I ain't no spring chicken myself and have my own aches and pains on some days. I think I've settled on a plan for their nutrition, plus they'll eat whatever they find outside the pen on their free range time. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? When you complicate it too much, it stops being fun and begins being a royal pain in the backside.
I hope to have a video of their first day in their new pen later.

 

[1muttsfan]

That sounds very sensible

 

[speckledhen]

That sounds very sensible

I'm glad you think so, Mary. I always hold your opinion in high regard. I am fascinated by the way these long time breeders feed their birds. For a nanosecond, you hear something like what Jamie said and think maybe you're missing something, but we have to keep doing what works well and the proof is in the birds themselves, I would say. By the way, Hector's daughter swallowed a mouse whole after fighting her mother for it. It was so funny and I was afraid she would choke, but seems they really love fresh meat, LOL.

 

[EmmaDonovan]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? When you complicate it too much, it stops being fun and begins being a royal pain in the backside.

That's true of so many things in life!