California - Northern

[debs_flock]

Hello everyone,


i had a question what is the age when a roo becomes non fertile,
i have an old rooster that still tries to top the hens but im not sure if he is not fertile or just not topping them have collected about 20 eggs from varios hens he has and only a few have been fertile
only 1 has hatched so far is there a way to increase his fertility

You didn't say how old he was, but fertility peaks at about a year old. If he is 2-3 and you want optimal fertility, I would replace him. If he is special to you in some way and you only want the occasional chick, then I would just leave him be and try to increase his nutrition levels. Boost his protein and vitamins, make sure he is getting enough hours of daylight, the same as the hens.

 

[member 142084]

Quote: I only use the natural ones ostrich feather is good. I have had no problems .

 

[tommysgirl]

That would definitely be doable. For sure I'm thinning out the girls in the SPR pen (way too many) and I'm considering getting rid of that breed/variety altogether. I'd really like to get my numbers down to no more than ten breeds/varieties. I have sixteen well built coop/pen combos and the rest of my pens are thrown together grow outs. I think ten would be a solid number and give me space for multiple pens of individual breeds.

Oops, didn't mean to imply I have Dutch, I don't.

Sounds great. 10 is a very nice number

 

[Americangame]

You didn't say how old he was, but fertility peaks at about a year old. If he is 2-3 and you want optimal fertility, I would replace him. If he is special to you in some way and you only want the occasional chick, then I would just leave him be and try to increase his nutrition levels. Boost his protein and vitamins, make sure he is getting enough hours of daylight, the same as the hens.

hes is probably 6 years old is that asking for too much , i know chickens can get old but i dont know about how fertile he is he still is able to keep the hens happy calls them and scratches for them but maybe he is to old :-(

 

[Kaylish]

Wow! I can not keep up with you guys...

I need some advise on merging new chicks into my "flock". I currently have 3 hens in a small "tractor" - 2 Buff Orps and a Barred Rock from the feedstore last spring. End of next week I'll be getting 7 new babies (Blue/Black Marans, Cream Legbars and, hopefully, Light Sussex from a local breeder) and building a 6'x8' permanent coop w/ run. Once the little ones are big enough (3/4 size of the big ones?) what would be the best way to merge the 2 groups? I plan on letting them get to know eachother thru a fence. (setting up a small pen for the babies for short outdoor trips and let the big girls freerange outside it while I'm watching)
Should I wait until the little ones are ready for the coop, get them adjusted, and then bring in the big girls? Or start with the big girls right away and then move the little ones in later? Any advise would be great?

 

[tommysgirl]

hes is probably 6 years old is that asking for too much , i know chickens can get old but i dont know about how fertile he is he still is able to keep the hens happy calls them and scratches for them but maybe he is to old :-(

I didn't know they lost fertility that young.

Thanks for asking this question.

I had a 10 y/o rooster sire 1 chick out of the 13 I set last spring. 12 of them were clear. That explains it. It happens...just not as regularly. I also have a broody sitting on 8 fertile eggs right now. 1 roo is just a year old the other is about 4. Don't know who inseminated the hen who laid the eggs but will have that info if I get pullets when they hatch Easter weekend. The pullets will either be solid black or black with a red neck. The boys will all be black with a head spot but as they grow there may be some red leakage along the neck when they feather in fully.

If they aren't fertile I will be putting one of my NH roos in the pot for sure.

 

[member 142084]

If anyone wants roos I have a lot lol. They will be going in the freezer soon. But then again they aren't what anyone else has.

 

[CackleJoy]

Hello all -

Saddle shaped air sacks from shipped eggs. Day 9. Any tricks to improve hatch rates?
I let them be still as long as possible before turning. I think 5 days.
Brabanter eggs - we'd love to have them hatch!

 

[ronott1]

Wow! I can not keep up with you guys...

I need some advise on merging new chicks into my "flock". I currently have 3 hens in a small "tractor" - 2 Buff Orps and a Barred Rock from the feedstore last spring. End of next week I'll be getting 7 new babies (Blue/Black Marans, Cream Legbars and, hopefully, Light Sussex from a local breeder) and building a 6'x8' permanent coop w/ run. Once the little ones are big enough (3/4 size of the big ones?) what would be the best way to merge the 2 groups? I plan on letting them get to know eachother thru a fence. (setting up a small pen for the babies for short outdoor trips and let the big girls freerange outside it while I'm watching)
Should I wait until the little ones are ready for the coop, get them adjusted, and then bring in the big girls? Or start with the big girls right away and then move the little ones in later? Any advise would be great?

Merging works best when the little ones are 3/4 the size of the big ones. You can add a temporary fence in the run to keep them apart.

The big ones will think the little ones are food if there is too much of a size difference.

Look for a guide on her for integrating flocks. There is a good one or two!

 

[PetRock]

Anyone in the San Jose area looking for a used Genesis 1588 incubator? There is one on craigslist for $100. They modified the trays on the turner but you could always buy replacement ones.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/grd/4407810768.html