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

[speckledhen]

I’m curious, have you considered sticking with just one type of poultry feed, and adding 96% lean ground beef and similar animal protein sources? I’ve given up on finding feed in the form that I like (fermentable whole grain), low or no corn or soy, and high protein, much of which is animal.

I only did this crazy feed mix because of this particular group of chicks. Generally, I do use the Tucker Milling GMO-free chick starter for any chicks here, which is fine for the hatchery types, but again, these are a special group that I went the extra mile for in order to give the best start ( they cost me a pretty penny!) You're absolutely right that finding the feed you really want has been made much too difficult and ultra expensive. Naturally, once only the Show Flock Developer is left, which won't be long, that will be their sole feed until they hit maturity and are close to laying age. Then, I'll decide which layer feed I want to stick with; for the past couple of years, that has been the Tucker Milling GMO-Free 16.5% laying feed. Mine still do get occasional added protein like eggs if I have extra. Simple is definitely best overall, sticking with one feed and allowing them to get some green forage. I fed Tucker Milling Super Lay 22% to all laying flocks and breeding flocks for two decades until they sneakily changed the feed on me, but honestly, now, I can relax and use the more available vegetarian feeds since all my groups free range a bit daily, weather permitting. Simple is generally fine, agreed.
I am not telling anyone how to feed their birds, please know that. I only went through that rigamorole because Rusty asked what I was feeding them, adding my "whys" to the conversation. My usual admonition is to feed them good quality feed geared to the age and function of the birds, which I have always done. I did go a bit overboard with this group, mainly because I could not find the starter that I used in the past for the heritage breeds. Available products have been changed a lot lately, some disappeared and some new packaging for older ones. I don't raise chicks very often anymore, so that made it even harder.

 

[Rusty Hills Farm]

Somewhere in all that discussion someone asked local price on 50# of Show Flock starter, I think. Anyhow it's $19 and so is the Developer. Eventually I'll make the switch to S-F Developer and keep them on that. I don't like layer--too much calcium for my roosters. I add separate feeders for the calcium instead. I like keeping it simple too. Most years I also add the greenery from the garden but this year the garden rotted from all the rain so I guess I'll be buying them produce--ugh!

Rusty

 

[speckledhen]

Somewhere in all that discussion someone asked local price on 50# of Show Flock starter, I think. Anyhow it's $19. Eventually I'll make the switch to S-F Developer and keep them on that. I don't like layer--too much calcium for my roosters. I add separate feeders for the calcium instead. I like keeping it simple too. Most years I also add the greenery from the garden but this year the garden rotted from all the rain so I guess I'll be buying them produce--ugh!

Rusty

Yeah, same. Rain and the developer price. I keep separate calcium feeders in each pen as well as the layer. Layer is cheaper than the other feeds so I never really worried about the roosters eating it. Heck, I've seen a few pick at the oyster shell as well as the hens and have never had a rooster with gout, but you're right, they do not need the calcium.
Actually, I do like the idea of keeping the Show Flock developer, was just thinking about that myself. The Omega Rocks love it. I can't think of much wrong with just keeping it going. Actually, I think all ages over three weeks old would do fine without ever starting layer feed, keeping to developer for everyone for ease of it. Many folks stay with some type of developer or All-Flock feed from chicks to elders. I agree about the greens, Rusty. Mine used to love kale. It tasted like dirt to me, but they were over the moon for it, used to grow it just for them. If I didn't have any, I'd buy a bunch. They will always eat my extra tomatoes! Most of mine do get some free range time as well, not an all day thing because I let groups out separately and that in itself is extra work, but they have time to get green forage and extra insects, mice even. And don't let one find a baby snake or it's a goner, ugh.
The last few years as things have become more difficult, I slacked on extras for them unless one was ailing and separated and needed a boost. I think it would be great to use developer with separate calcium, sounds like a good plan for both of us. I'm seriously considering it now that this new group is well on their way to healthy adulthood. Buy one feed, calcium for layers, easy peasy. We like easy, right? That is one main reason I am ending all the other breeds, for ease of management.

 

[1muttsfan]

The easiest animal protein to add into their diet is mealworms, and they are very easy to farm.

 

[speckledhen]

The easiest animal protein to add into their diet is mealworms, and they are very easy to farm.

Very true. Mine have eaten bags and bags of meal worms and black soldier fly larvae during molts or if one was ailing and off his/her feed. It boosts their appetite, I think. I've just never farmed them, but I've heard it's very easy to do.

 

[speckledhen]

I just wanted to stop in to say that, at 10 weeks old, I have decided my first two males that I will not be keeping. As I predicted, the male that was smallest is the first to be nixed because one of his issues will not change with time. I thought he had a 5 point comb which is the standard, but his has a tiny extra sprig between two other points. He's also a terrible screamer, hate human attention, is never curious about what I'm doing and always makes himself scarce. He and his brother were white banded, but I finally changed one of those to a light yellow band so I would not be confused at which male I was watching. So, Mr. Yellow Band hit the blacklist.
A second one, one of the three purple banded males, is only on that list because he is not quite as large as the one I really like, plus he has one comb point that is really a split one, same base, two points on it. He's not terrible, has good size and is very handsome, but why choose one with a comb like that when I have other, better choices?
Right now, I'm leaning toward the largest purple banded male from Pen #1, the big white banded male from Pen #3 and, even though he's a half sibling to the pullets, the monster sized black banded male from Pen #7 if I keep a 3rd cockerel.
Final decisions will come in about five or six weeks when I add at least two more males to the sell group, but this is where my head is right now. I need more girls if I keep three males, of course, but I was thinking that since three bantam Cochin males have passed on from the Dirty Dozen Gang and I have six bantam Cochin hens, plus the little hens are not being overbred, I may take the four large fowl EE hens from that group and add them to the Omega Rocks. I haven't fully decided, but that will give them eight females to three males.
Does this make sense? Is there a flaw in that plan? Input appreciated.

 

[1muttsfan]

Sounds like a good plan to me.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sounds like a good plan to me.

Me too.

 

[speckledhen]

Sounds like a good plan to me.

Me too.

Thank you, ladies! I really value both of your opinions, always. I can't believe we are so close to actual decision time with these boys! When I am sure about the keepers, I'll remove the others into their own separate pen and begin the rehoming phase. I want to get some $$ from them since this group was so pricy, just to recoup my feed costs raising to that point.