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

[speckledhen]

Well, of course you are. And if he misbehaves, he can go live with his Aunt Lisa, LOL. I do have a name picked out for him, but you can always call him Tank, though his brother I do believe has bypassed him slightly in overall size.

I was looking at Little Man, the smallest one. He's sort of just a compact version of the others, shorter in height and length, and though he's not really a runt, he's just, well, compact. Everyone else is large, he's medium, but there is not a homely one in the bunch.

 

[speckledhen]

I went to let out the Dirty Dozen gang and because I had switched them with the Omega Rocks, I absentmindedly opened the wrong pen and out ran all the striped kiddos. I sat and took a few pics, didn't chase them around, just whatever I could get.

Here he is, my favorite of the bunch because of his friendly, inquisitive personality and his name is, drum roll....Nathaniel. I know it's unusual, but here is my logic. My first BR rooster was Hawkeye from my fav movie, The Last of the Mohicans with Daniel Day-Lewis. So, I felt it was fitting that the last line I keep here will have a rooster with the name that was Hawkeye's real name, Nathaniel (aka Tank).

Blazing wattles there, didn't realize when I snapped it from a distance that he was in motion. The #2 pick, brother to Nathaniel, is Duncan, after Major Duncan Heyward, who had a thing for Cora Munro, who was in love with Nathaniel/Hawkeye.

Cockerel #3 Purple band is named Angus. I had a young porcelain Belgian D'Anver cockerel by that name, but he died early on, likely a heart issue, so that name was not here for long.
The pic makes him look like he has a hump along the spine, but I think it's just the way he's standing. if he does upon examination, he goes on the "exit" list, sadly.

And the 4th one is Duncan's brother (purple band) He has no name yet, but I'll think of one. Even if he leaves, I have to call him something. He's the one with the split point, as you can see. All those boys had better behave so I don't have to do a name switcharoo.

And one of the pullets posed for me. I haven't named the other three pullets, only Ethel, because their comb differences are just now starting to show.

And a small group picture. The one on the far left is the floppy comb guy who is up for sale.

gus

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Gorgeous birds. Love their names. I like that movie too, except when they burn that guy. Plus all the Mohicans are gone. It sure takes you on an emotional roller coaster.

 

[speckledhen]

Gorgeous birds. Love their names. I like that movie too, except when they burn that guy. Plus all the Mohicans are gone. It sure takes you on an emotional roller coaster.

Thanks! Yes, that movie was epic. I saw it when it came out on a humongous curved screen called The Cinedome in Ogden, Utah, best movie theater ever, but I think it's gone now.
Now, I just have to name the girls other than Miss Maggie-Ethel. I have reused names when a bird left and didn't live out his/her life here, but there are so many, seems dumb to recycle them too much.

 

[speckledhen]

I just decided that I will likely sell the other extra male, the split point guy, not because of that slight flaw, but I have no business keeping four males for this group, even with possibly adding the EE hens to the mix. So, the 4th wheel/extra guy is on the chopping block (not literally, of course).

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Good decision. Those big boys can be hard on hens. Do you have that problem? It's why I prefer bantam roosters now. The big roosters are definitely more gorgeous.

I just decided that I will likely sell the other extra male, the split point guy, not because of that slight flaw, but I have no business keeping four males for this group, even with possibly adding the EE hens to the mix. So, the 4th wheel/extra guy is on the chopping block (not literally, of course).

 

[speckledhen]

Good decision. Those big boys can be hard on hens. Do you have that problem? It's why I prefer bantam roosters now. The big roosters are definitely more gorgeous.

Yes, they can be, especially when they're competing. I have that issue more with the large fowl than the bantams, though Mace can tear out some feathers trying to balance on those big hens, too. Overall, the bantam Cochins don't seem to be very motivated breeders by comparison.
I find it really disappointing that the larger one yellow banded brother has crooked toes. He's not at all happy being picked up but he's big and has a nice comb, bright yellow thick legs, etc. Bad personality and crooked toes makes him the loser in there, same as his slightly smaller brother. In the end, I really need only two roosters, though I guess I can keep three for longer to see how it goes. I won't be keeping four so four are for sale, three will stay awhile.

 

[1muttsfan]

Very sensible.

 

[speckledhen]

Very sensible.

i'm glad I'm making sense! I do try to talk myself out of overly emotional choices for these, though you know how much I love my roosters. Except for Nathaniel/Tank, they are less personable as a whole only because the others all balk at being picked up, especially those yellow band brothers, don't want to be my best friend. Which is so insulting, LOL.
So, Nathaniel, his brother Duncan, and Angus of the Purple Band (why does that sound so Robinhood??) are sticking around, all impressive, IMO.

 

[speckledhen]

I have all four of the extras up for sale/rehoming now. I would love to keep the fourth one I just added to the "go pile", but I just don't have enough pullets for that many males. He's the split point guy and he's really broad, very handsome.
I have noticed, but never mentioned it, that the largest of the yellow banded males has a back that slopes toward the hackles. He always walks that way, never stands truly horizontal. Shame, really, because other than that and two crooked toes, he's really great looking and very wide, nice comb, every broad. I just hope I can find homes for these guys soon. They're listed on several Facebook chicken groups as "up for discussion".