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

[speckledhen]

I may let only one of the final four go in the end and keep three. It's going to be difficult choosing between those two black banded males. One is very personable and smart, but has 6 pts on the comb. The other is less apt to come right up to me, but has a nearly perfect 5 pointer. Both are very large, wide stances, great look overall. I hope I still like them both when the hormones kick in fully. Then, it doesn't matter so much what he looks like, but how he acts toward us.
And my choices may change. Right now, my brain is melting and I am easily confused, LOL.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I may let only one of the final four go in the end and keep three. It's going to be difficult choosing between those two black banded males. One is very personable and smart, but has 6 pts on the comb. The other is less apt to come right up to me, but has a nearly perfect 5 pointer. Both are very large, wide stances, great look overall. I hope I still like them both when the hormones kick in fully. Then, it doesn't matter so much what he looks like, but how he acts toward us.
And my choices may change. Right now, my brain is melting and I am easily confused, LOL.

This summer seems so much hotter than any other summer, and it's only just begun.

 

[speckledhen]

This summer seems so much hotter than any other summer, and it's only just begun.

You are not kidding. We started out cool and wet, then the temps went to the stratosphere as well as the humidity. Summer is always hard for me.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You are not kidding. We started out cool and wet, then the temps went to the stratosphere as well as the humidity. Summer is always hard for me.

My slogan is "I hate Summer". People get tired of hearing it. Nothing good about it except fresh produce. Bugs, snakes, frogs, toads, sweat, and smells. Give me a refreshing winter blizzard any day over a summer day.

 

[speckledhen]

My slogan is "I hate Summer". People get tired of hearing it. Nothing good about it except fresh produce. Bugs, snakes, frogs, toads, sweat, and smells. Give me a refreshing winter blizzard any day over a summer day.

Couldn't agree more on hating Summer. I don't necessarily want a blizzard, but I can get warm so much faster and cheaper than I can cool off so I also pick cold over scorching hot any day!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Me and this panda bear have similar interests.

 

[1muttsfan]

Fortunately there is no need to choose between them up here. Because you are going to get them both regardless of what you want

We have been unusually cool this year, dry initially but in the last few weeks we have had a ton of rain. Which my gardens appreciate greatly.

 

[1muttsfan]

I think you should not spend so much time trying to decide who to keep at this point, instead focus on who you are not going to keep for now. They are going to change a lot both physically and behaviorally in the next few months, and they will tell you who's going to make it and who's not.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Fortunately there is no need to choose between them up here. Because you are going to get them both regardless of what you want

We have been unusually cool this year, dry initially but in the last few weeks we have had a ton of rain. Which my gardens appreciate greatly.

The rain has mostly missed us and we've had hot weather. I keep saying that I left GA for a reason but, oh , yes, it was because of my husband lol

 

[speckledhen]

I think you should not spend so much time trying to decide who to keep at this point, instead focus on who you are not going to keep for now. They are going to change a lot both physically and behaviorally in the next few months, and they will tell you who's going to make it and who's not.

Yes, I do agree with that, just sort of journaling the progress and my thoughts at any given moment. I have decided the first three non-keepers based on traits that will not change, no matter how old they are-crooked toes, floppy comb. The one from Pen #1 (purple band) has a lovely personality, but Jamie was reiterating any negatives they might have like side sprigs, floppy combs, thumbprint combs. Combs are not the most important issue, just the main immediate visual. I'm sort of keeping a journal of each one in my head, noting every single trait I see. Temperament is paramount to me, as you know all too well, though I do love a beautiful comb, but their actual temperament will take a little while longer to emerge. Hormones are on the horizon, probably already beginning to glimmer in the background, wouldn't you say? I see the most change at around the 16-17 week point, if I recall. I have not had to seriously assess my birds since 2011 when I hatched the Marvin Stukel birds that William Bennett (Pine Grove here) sent to me. I have seen progeny better than their parents over the years; the hen always factors into the equation.

In the end, I may be stuck with more males than I need anyway. It really depends on if someone sees their value and wants to improve their own Rocks enough to buy one or two. Even the "culls" in this group are better than all the hatchery BR roosters I have seen; even the worst of the best of the best is still pretty darn good.

The rain has mostly missed us and we've had hot weather. I keep saying that I left GA for a reason but, oh , yes, it was because of my husband lol

Darn husbands, LOL.