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

[speckledhen]

Don't look back. It isn't helpful. All you can really do is keep pushing forward doing the best you can do. Do your best for the ones you've got and resist the urge to compare them to what's gone. That's not good for either you or them. Time will make that easier.



Rusty

I promise that I'm doing better with that after all these years rehoming extra males. The guilt lasts for 5 minutes, but zero guilt over four of the five, not for a moment. It's easier to find homes for well-behaved boys and four of the five were not going to find a new situation for themselves with their personalities, even though only Duncan showed any aggression. In the past, I have rehomed males for good reasons at the time, but I regretted it. One was one of Isaac's sons with my EE hen, June. I should have kept him because he was really sweet, but his brothers were beating him up too much and getting on my nerves. If there is a place for whoever it is, he can stay. There was no place here for these and if either of the two I have left misbehave toward me, no remorse for what I will have to do, just disappointment that he forced my hand.
These are the last I'm ever going to breed from so I have been extra careful about every single step I make with them, kept them longer than I usually would so their temperament would show and their forms would fill out some. That is one reason you've seen so much caution from me in selection of my keeper males. Plus, I have a hard time rehoming males when I have developed a rapport with them and they are not causing trouble. I will never be the farmer who runs out to grab a chicken from the barn to cook for dinner like my grandfather was. And I never plan to be.
My life situation is becoming more difficult with my husband so, eventually, I will have to just keep layers. I see it coming down the road, but I love my roosters and they've given me a lot of good times and laughs as well as affection. I will be sad about that and I don't claim otherwise.

 

[speckledhen]

Too funny! Angus and Nathaniel attempt a rescue.

 

[speckledhen]

Yesterday, I witnessed the first successful breeding attempt by one of the guys. Nathaniel bred Ethel. I expect an egg fairly soon and I can't wait. The boys have been no trouble at all. It's like Angus and Nathaniel are two sides of the Hector coin. Angus is as large as big old Bash, tall and wide, no joke, and very energetic, bouncing around like he has energy to burn. And Nathaniel, definitely the beta male, is very vocal, walks around grumbling under his breath. Put them together and you have our late Hector. They are both stunning. I didn't get a picture in the last few days, just been rough around here, but I'll try to get updated ones.
I am writing a new novel, or trying to, had major issues with formatting. My younger son, who has written two books and is writing a third now, has been a paragon of patience trying to help me over the phone, just a gem. My husband seems to have suddently lost hearing in one ear entirely, not sure why, but it's draining for me to have to talk this loudly and repeat myself five times in every sentence. He was already hard-of-hearing and hasn't been able to help me with just about anything around here because of his other health issues; if it involves standing for more than five minutes, he just can't. My own energy is really depleted at this point.

I had a CT scan of my sinuses and apparently, have some sort of long-running infection because the doctor called in an antibiotic which I'll pick up this morning. That would explain the symptoms I've had for literally months now. He also did allergy testing prior to that, and basically, I'm allergic to a little of everything. In summary, I'm allergic to my property, LOL, aka trees, mold, dust, cat, grasses, etc. I'm having an allergic reaction to my life, ugh. The reactions to all the culprits were mild, though. I woke with a headache this morning at 1:15 a.m. as with every morning lately, but a deep sinus infection is as good an explanation as any. So, wish me luck on getting rid of this thing that's been making my life really difficult. I have much too much to do to. All that said, I'm pretty tough so it will all work out, one way or another!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Good to hear the boys are still behaving. Also glad you are trying an antibiotic. Hopefully that makes you feel better Cynthia. Also glad you hear you are writing another book.

Sorry about your husband. I'm not liking getting older. Not because of the wrinkles, but because of the health stuff. Gets to be all you end up doing in life. My husband says 'what" a lot more, and it does get irritating. He doesn't hear half the stuff I say. I talk to the dogs most now.

I lost my old boxer 2 months ago, and was foolish enough to get another last week. I forget how hard raising a pup is on my back. Good thing she's cute. She's growing like a weed.

 

[1muttsfan]

She's darling!

 

[speckledhen]

I lost my old boxer 2 months ago, and was foolish enough to get another last week. I forget how hard raising a pup is on my back. Good thing she's cute. She's growing like a weed.

She's a doll! What's her name?
My next to last dog was Boxer-Retriever, looked more like the retriever part with shorter hair, but never really grew up. Boxers, as I recall, can be puppies all their lives. Cody was so smart. I'm not sure I can do a puppy now, though it may be my best bet for a chicken-friendly dog.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Her name is Trixie. She's been here a week. Seems like a !month already. Good thing the other dogs help to tire her out, and show her the ropes.

 

[speckledhen]

Her name is Trixie. She's been here a week. Seems like a !month already. Good thing the other dogs help to tire her out, and show her the ropes.

She looks like a Trixie. I think that's a great name for a boxer.