The Old Folks Home

[getaclue]

chicka, I will try that.

 

[getaclue]

There are several things you can do to prevent ticks. Make a solution using flea & tick shampoo, dip the clothes you wear int the woods in it. Don't rinse, just wring them out (by hand, or in the machine if you don't have to go through the rinse cycle), and dry them. This works for chiggers (red bugs) too. IF there is a real bad infestation of ticks, chiggers, etc. don't just treat your clothes. Prior to walking in the woods, use the flea & tick shampoo on yourself just like shower gel and shampoo. Sergeants, and Adams are effective for about 4-5 days after using it. IF you don't use anything prior to your walk in the woods, use the flea & tick shampoo afterwards.

You can shower using Fels Naptha, or Octagon soap, but don't rinse it off. Just come out of the shower soaped up, and dry off. When you come back from your walk, rinse.

Off insect repellent contains DEET. Spray yourself, and clothing before going into the woods.

I've personally tried every one of these products, and methods. I prefer the dog flea & tick shampoo method best.

 

[Alaskan]

Soon to be followed by ..... algae!!! Or maybe your pond is deeper than mine and has a source of water so it isn't stagnant.

we don't get much algae. That pond is spring fed, and at least 6 feet deep... maybe 12 at the most at one end.

But... snowing again this morning... cold sure slows down growth.

Yes, I can get fertile eggs from him, BUT I can't carry on the line with infertile male offspring, and I'm not sure about trying to carry on with a line that the bulk of the males are infertile.

Have you tried putting 2 of the young ones in the same pen with some girls? (of course only if they don't try to kill each other), but the competition might get stuff going.

And one last ditch effort of a big vitamin boost...

But yeah... sucks.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Morning all maybe even more reasons Dad moved us here so long ago
not major infestation of bug either and no stagnate water close by...
The years I spent in Juneau I loved it but know snow could happen
even up to Mothers day

 

[chickadoodles]

chicka, I will try that.

Add it to the hens as well as the roosters.

 

[Alaskan]

right now.

 

[getaclue]

Add it to the hens as well as the roosters.

I will.

They are mounting the hens, and doing the deed. I've seen them do it. I've got a few with bare backs to prove it. They just aren't fertilizing the eggs.

 

[ronott1]

Al, they're snazzy Black Australorps, not BCM's, but yeah those are the ones. My original rooster will be 5 years old in Feb. He's had just turned a year old around Feb. 2014. He's never had any fertility issues. I had suspected the first 2 males were not fertile, since I never got any fertile eggs from the females they were with, but when I put my original rooster with the same females, I got fertile eggs. I reasoned it might be an age thing, or I had let them with females too soon. Well, they're 3 years old, so not too young now. I had one in with some hens for a couple months, but not one fertile egg. I swapped him out with his brother. A couple weeks later, and I'm still not getting any fertile eggs. I could not take full advantage of breeding until we moved here, but have hatched out a couple smaller batches of chicks to keep things going.

I put 2 of the younger ones, just shy of a year old, each in with their own group of hens for almost 3 weeks. Not one fertile egg. The only reason this became an issue, was because my original male got to fighting with the rooster in the next pen. There is wire mesh separating them, so they can't really do real damage to each other, but in the process, he found a jagged place, and cut up the bottom of one foot, and tore the top of the skin off the other foot. Not deep, or bad injuries, but enough he wasn't walking good, or treading the hens. I brought him up to the house, caged him, soaked his feet, and applied ointment to them until they healed up.

That's when I put one of the younger males with his hens. They rejected him at first, but within a week he had won them over. Still, no fertile eggs. Now that my original rooster is doing good, I've put him back with his normal group. Yes, I can get fertile eggs from him, BUT I can't carry on the line with infertile male offspring, and I'm not sure about trying to carry on with a line that the bulk of the males are infertile.

The original rooster is from the Kirk Keen line which was outbred that year to the Dan Castle line, and he's one of the results. One of the original hens was from his same line, and the other was straight Kirk Keen line.

I hope you get lots of fertile eggs soon!

 

[chickadoodles]

I will.

They are mounting the hens, and doing the deed. I've seen them do it. I've got a few with bare backs to prove it. They just aren't fertilizing the eggs.

The vitamins will help if they can. If the Roosters are completely sterile that won't solve your problem. Then you will know for sure. But I used the red cell in all my breeders pens thru the whole season as instructed.

 

[chickadoodles]

Al sorry it is snowing again.