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

[Ponypoor]

Yes, this weather season has been insane here in the N. GA mountains with extreme cold, high winds, scary storms, etc. Tonight, we're having a doozy, they say. That metal roof in the barn where the chicks are makes it sound like the entire world is falling on it. They'll likely be nervous for a bit when that hits. We had 80's for a few days and now, we're back in the 50's for most highs.
I have to change their leg bands today, all of them, though not all are really tight yet, but seems prudent to do them all at once every few days. That will slow down at a certain point. Some are growing ultra fast with thick legs. The one who hatched a day after the others is still the smallest in the group, but I would not call him a runt. They all did great yesterday. The sparring was out of control, but they were having a blast, I think.

Everywhere seems to be having crazy weather. Mother Nature has gone off the rails!

Re feed: I raised show horse for yrs and found that all that special feed they sell is hardly better than a simple diet of good grass hay and some pelleted feed mixed with rolled oats (not like human rolled oats). I also add beet pulp (which the chooks love hahaha) for added fibre.

All this high powered high energy feed is too much for 99% of the horses out there.

Same with all the expensive feed for chooks. The only thing I supplement with is Vit D and Calcium in the winter when there is a serious lack of sunlight. Otherwise I feed purina layena 17% pelleted feed. Throw in some apples, cabbage and carrots about once a week, and outdoor time daily when no snow cover and they are happy as pigs in mud. I am sure they are actively hunting mice and rats in the barn.

 

[speckledhen]

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Look at those little monsters growing like weeds. They look so healthy, and adventurous.

 

[speckledhen]

They're a wild bunch, aren't they? As the old saying goes, they're full of pi$$ and vinegar, LOL.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They're a wild bunch, aren't they? As the old saying goes, they're full of pi$$ and vinegar, LOL.

It speaks highly of their health, and genetics. Love it when they are so feisty. They are going to keep you busy.

 

[speckledhen]

They are going to keep you busy.

No doubt! Now, I have to figure out how to let them go outside without losing one or two, they are so wild. I have a Great Dane size dog cage, not the one Bodie is going outside in, but a larger one. I just have to reassemble it and put it in the pen and transport them into it. As they get larger, they can be loose, but large as they are at this age, they're still pipsqueaks in the Great Outdoors, hawk bait.
I have an kitty litter pan that was never used so I can dig them up some good dirt and put the pan in their pen inside the barn as well. They've already had dirt in a pan in the brooder from a week old, but the pan is way too small for that number of chicks this age. Gotta stave off coccidiosis, build their immunity. I hope I don't have to deal with that, rarely ever happens with broody-raised chicks. I haven't had to treat coccidosis in umpteen years. If I do, I'll have to buy a new bag/bottle of Corid. I don't use medicated starter which doesn't always work anyway at the maintenance dose that's in there, especially if it's very damp in the environment. Most here on this thread know all that, of course, but you never know who is reading on the platform.

 

[1muttsfan]

It's certainly doesn't look like the cold bothers them

 

[speckledhen]

It's certainly doesn't look like the cold bothers them

I think they were too busy to even realize it was chilly, LOL. They'll be chilly this morning for sure; it's 31* outside, but we're going to 69* today and after the next two days of 60's, we'll have ten days of 70's and more sunshine so it's the time to introduce them to outside. Maybe they can have their dog crate next to Bodie's in the yard and they can entertain him when the others leave the area. Should be fun, the Dirty Dozen Gang peering at the newbies like they're a zoo attraction, LOL.

 

[NanaK]

Such an active group. They are just precious! Love to watch chicks get the zoomies!

 

[speckledhen]

Such an active group. They are just precious! Love to watch chicks get the zoomies!

Zoomies seems to be their default setting!