Infertile Silkie roo

[TreeHugger]

I have silkies & I keep the roos separated from the hens year around. I decided to hatch out some chicks & I put my best looking roo in with 5 of my best looking hens about a month ago. I left them together two weeks before I started gathering eggs. I have had those eggs under my broody silkie eggs since then. When I checked them last night they were all infertile! He has never been sick & appears to be healthy. I've heard that roos can go infertile, but he is only 3 years old & I don't think that is old for a roo. Is there anything I could put in his diet to boost his fertility? Is three old for a roo?

 

[TreeHugger]

TYPO - I have had those eggs under my broody silkie HENS since then.

 

[magikchick]

Try trimming the feathers from around the vents on the roo and hens.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

It might be that they are too fluffy by their vents. Trim the fluff away from the hens and his vent. That should work if he isnt infertile.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

I agree with the two above posts. Same thing is happening with my bantam cochins. I may have to AI her or trim her down. I'm still hoping that I will start getting some fertile ones.

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

Try putting him with only three hens as well. If he's young, too many is not good.

 

[chubbydog811]

Just out of curiosity....How do you AI a chicken??? Why would you do that in the first place? And wouldn't that be expensive? It's not like a horse where they can do their thing to a block, but for a chicken, wouldn't that be hard to do????
Like I said, just curious...That sounded very weird for a chicken

 

[BaronRenfrew]

It can be done and its not hard or expensive, you can do it yourself. I've seen it described in a book somewhere. the biggest domestic turkeys are done by AI as the monster whites can go to 50-70 lbs

 

[Mahonri]

I've seen semen collected from bulls and stud horses, but never chickens... just wondering how that happens.

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

I have an AI thread detailing step by step instructions, but I haven't a clue where it is. Its rather easy... its basically a rub, rub, rub of the back, and a squeeze at the vent.... I'll see if I can find the thread.