X-Factor Starting off 2011 in Great Shape

X-Factor is starting off 2011 in great shape.  He is ready to start packing on new antler growth.  Maybe he'll be the first 600" deer in the world!  He is the only whitetail to be officially scored by SCI at more than 500".  With over 60 scorable points, adding only 1" on each point would put him in the high 500s without any additional mass, main beam, or new tines added.  We'll be posting Watch Him Grow pictures later this year.

Comment on this post and I'll get the message to contact you.
http://www.whitetailrackranch.com/

Louisiana Bred Does for Sale

We have some more Louisiana bred does and fawns for sale from our 200"+ pen.  We need to make more room for our new additions from our 2-year old breeders and X-Factor.  Great deals on group sales.

Comment on this post and I'll get the notice to contact you.
http://www.whitetailrackranch.com/

Buck Saver Deer Handler

Watch this video to see the new Buck Saver Deer Handler that is already revolutionizing the way we handle deer.

The Buck Saver Deer Handler is a revolutionary new method for handling deer.  It was developed by Russ Bellar, owner of X-Factor.  Russ has had the unfortunate experience, like many of us, of losing valuable deer because of complications from traditional tranquilization methods.  A study on red deer in South America revealed that traditional tranquilizers compromise immune system response for 30 days following tranquilizing.  If our expensive whitetails don't die during the process, we worry about complications that follow.  The longer the deer is down, the greater the risk of aspiration of rumenal fluids.  Even leaving deer off feed overnight doesn't eliminate the risk.  Some vets have required as much as 36 hours off feed.

Russ decided to take a proactive approach to prevent the risk while collecting semen.  He worked with two of my Amish friends, Raymond and David Graber, to design and build a handler that a buck can be collected in by converting to a table.  A simple idea that makes me slap my head and say, "Why didn't I think of that".  It's not that unusual for Russ though because he's a person that thinks outside the box. 

Russ worked with Harry Latshaw who has many years of animal anesthesia experience at Purdue University. He developed an apparatus to administer gas to deer.  Russ incorporated this into his handler system.  As the video shows, the buck is sedated quickly, the work is done safely to collect him and the buck wakes up quickly when the mask is removed.  Russ timed the process after removing the mask.  He said from the time the gas is removed the animals are in their pens in 3 minutes with no signs of having been sedated.  Russ considers this new method safe and proves it by several trials using the world record X-Factor.

I have to complement the entire team on their work.  In my opinion, this will revolutionize the way deer are handled. Presently, if I have a deer with foot rot, I try shooting a Draxxin dart to clear it up.  I hesitate tranquilizing animals, especially if the immune system is suppressed with tranquilizer drugs.  I don't want to create a poor immune system response for a sick deer that needs to be functioning at peak efficiency.  I won't delay active treatment in the handler with this new system.  It will be so simple to run a deer in, give it the gas and perform anything that needs to be done even something as simple as hoof trimming.  Imagine how easy it will be to take better care of our animals without the fears we presently have. 

Come see us at the NADeFA Convention in March in Nashville.  See how this new handler can benefit you.  Russ will be in the booth with me to discuss its operation.  We'll have mounts of X-Factor too!!  Come see us up front in Booth 201.

E-mail Me for information on this revolutionary method of deer handling and X-Factor semen sales.

Whitetail Rack Ranch fawn edema

We have had problems with this little guy and his brother off and on since they were born.  We found both of them in the pen and didn't appear that they had nursed.  Both were premature and weak.  Their front legs bent backwards at the joint and they couldn't stand without assistance.  We immediately took them in and gave them colostrum.  This one is Heat Stroke.  My wife, Annette, gave him the name because when he could finally walk he would wobble around the yard until he got tired and collapse.  He would often be hot in in full sun.  Once when she found him he had convulsions.  She said he must have had a heat stroke, thus his name.  She would often pick him up, limp, with his head drooping and drooling. 

We've had conversations with Dr. Chris Sullivan, at Sullivan Veterinary Clinic as we were recently treating Heat Stroke for diarrhea.  He would look great and then have health issues like pneumonia or diarrhea.  We'd turn him around and then have problems again.  Dr. Chris and I think it's because they never got colostrum before we gave it to them.  We check the pens daily for new fawns but the first 12 hours is critical.

The swelling in this picture is edema, a swelling cause by fluid trapped under the skin.  This picture is typical of a large parasite load.  We had a fecal sample run but it didn't show parasites were exceptionally heavy.  We had wormed him with Ivomec and Safeguard within the last month.  Since he did show 2 strongyles, Dr. Chris suggested we worm him again with Cydectin.  We always worm for more than one day.  You should ask your vet but I usually worm at twice the cattle dose for 3 days.  Deer have a higher metabolism rate than cattle and I want to make sure they keep the drug in their system long enough to work.

Heat Stroke's edema could have been from parasites but since the load was not severe I think it may have been because of his lack of nutrient uptake from the diarrhea.  He may have poor immune system response because of his lack of colostrum at birth. 

We finally got the diarrhea under control using Arrest.  We used Banamine for inflammation in the gut on a limited basis.  He had 104.1 fever one day and the Banamine had it down to normal the next.  Talk to your vet before using Banamine about the complications from stomach irritation.  He finally got to the point he would not eat.  We lost his brother a couple of days earlier with the same symptoms.  Dr. Chris had me give Heat Stroke one dose of Dexamethasone and some B-12.  He said it would stimulate his appetite.  Dexamethasone can cause immune system compromise from multiple doses so weigh the options with your vet.  It took about 48 hours but Heat Stroke started eating voraciously!  I gave him Karo syrup and some molasses.  His edema was gone the next day.  His stool had started firming up but the Karo and molasses loosened him up again for about a day.  He's going pellets now and has gained weight.  We may always have trouble with him but he's turned the corner from death again.  Being bottle fed makes him easier to handle.  He'll come out of the handler and stand there for you to pet him. 

Hope this gives you some ideas if you have similar problems.

NADeFA National Convention, March 2011

X-Factor displayed at the NADeFA convention  March 17-19, 2011.  The convention will be held at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center in Nashville, TN.  Well on his way to becoming the most famous deer in history, we will have a replica mount of the 2010 world record whitetail, X-Factor on display.  We've been working with Russ Bellar selling X-Factor's semen nationwide.  We will also be unveiling a revolutionary concept in deer handling with the Buck Saver Deer Handler.  Come by our Whitetail Rack Ranch booth #201 up front directly across from the antler competition.  You won't want to miss X-Factor.  It's the next best thing to seeing him in person.  I've been 15 feet from him in his pen and he will give you buck fever!!!  We'll be looking forward to your visit.  Bring your camera and get a picture with him.

Sullivan Veterinary Clinic in Winnsboro, Louisiana

I've worked with several veterinarians in Louisiana when the need arises for managing the health of my whitetails.  I recently had my first experience with Dr. Chris Sullivan, DVM at Sullivan Veterinary Clinic in Winnsboro, Louisiana.  I was pleasantly surprised with the attention I received in assisting me with two sick fawns.  I've had veterinarians that have been willing to help but they just didn't have experience with whitetails.  Dr. Chris not only has some deer familiarity but he has a great contact to assist him.  His brother, Brad Sullivan, owns Sullivan Whitetail Ranch near Dallas, TX.  Brad has a large breeding operation raising some great whitetails, but more importantly for me, he has a wealth of knowledge and experience.  Dr. Chris consults with Brad on cases that may be complicated.  Having a veterinarian close by is important but expertise with deer health issues is another qualification you should look for.  With so few veterinarians in Louisiana having knowledge of white-tailed deer, I highly recommend seeking your health care needs from Dr. Sullivan.  Contact information is:

 

Sullivan Veterinary Clinic

6355 Hwy. 4
Winnsboro, Louisiana 71295

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 789

Phone: 318-435-4585
Fax: 318-435-7965
Email: info@sullivanvet.com
website: www.sullivanvet.com

X-Factor Semen

X-Factor became the new world record white-tailed deer being the first to officially score over 500".  He scored 509 6/8" at just 3 years old.  We believe X-Factor will become the Secretariat of the deer world with his huge size and clean look.  He's not a fluke.  X-Factor is backed by a strong pedigree without any weak lines (see his pedigree below).  He's already producing some great yearlings. 

We are the authorized agent for semen sales for X-Factor.  Semen we sell was collected at the farm and stored at the collector's facility.  Semen has never changed hands and it will sell at the farm price without mark-up.  You will not be buying semen from someone in another state that bought semen early when he was a yearling and is trying to resell it.  I can attest from the does we bred and the vets that did our Lap AI that the semen quality is considered excellent.  Our vets said X-Factor's semen was unusually high in its quality. 

Email me to get X-Factor semen today.  Prices will surely go up so bank yours now!!!!

Louisiana bred does and fawns for sale

We still have some bred does for sale at our Louisiana ranch.  The genetic background on our does ranges from 200" to over 400" and we'll have a large group of fawns next spring from X-Factor giving us over 500" genetics, the highest in the country.  Our doe fawns from our 200"-344" gentics pen are weaned and ready for release into your hunt pens to increase your genetic base or for use as breeders in your breeding program.  Here is a list of some of the bucks in our background. E-mail me for more information.
.

X-Factor 509 6/8” (official 2010 World Record)

Rolex 441”

RDM Goliath 429”

High Roller 418”

Blue Mountain Bill 347“

Big Jake 344”

30-30 300”+

Northern Gold 292” @ 4

Soaring Eagle 290” B&C @ 4 year

MO Geronimo  288”

Jack the Ripper 284”

Max 270”

Redoy Magnum 267 at 5 ½ years old

Sundance 262” (High Roller sire)

Thunder 262”

Redoy Bill" 256

Kujo 255”  sired over 20 200”+ sons

PA Geronimo 251” at 6.5 years old

Outrageous 250”

Narley 175” at 1, 255” at 2 (largest ever Soaring Eagle son)

Hatchet Jack 241”

Tex 240”

Redoy Penn  232”@5

Thor 226”@4

Buford 204” w/30 ½” inside spread @ 4

Whitetail Rack Ranch 2-year old bucks

These are some of our 2-year old bucks that we are breeding with for 2010.  We AI'd to X-Factor and sold X-Factor semen in several states. 

Rambeaux has an estimated 30" outside spread with 23 points.  He is backing up the does we AI'd to X-Factor.

VooDoo is a High Roller grandson.  He had severe damage several times to his antlers this year.  It really set him back.  VooDoo had over 20 points as a yearling.

Captain Crunch wasn't bottle fed but he is as tame as if he were.  He gets very mean once the does start coming in heat though.  I truly believe he would go from eating cookies from my hand to wanting to kill me once the girls are ready to breed.

Winchester is very agressive to the other bucks when the does come into estrous.  He has a mostly typical rack that we're excited about.  He may not have the biggest score but he has good main beam length, width, tine length and mass.

Custom Deer Feed Mixed near Winnsboro, Louisiana

I have my deer feed custom mixed at a feed mill in Northeast Louisiana.  I give the mill the specs and they make the feed.  They can furnish most of the ingredients.  I furnish special additives that I want to include.  I've been very happy with Chase Feed Mill.  Contact me if you're interested and I can put you in touch with them.  They do a great job.

Laparoscopic Artificial Insemination 2010

We Lap AI'd some of our top does to X-Factor this fall.  The veterinarians and support group from Cooper Veterinary Hospital did a great job.  They said the does were ovualting very successfully and the X-Factor semen was excellent quality.  We're excited about the new fawns coming next spring.  Some of our Goliath and Goliath/High Roller cross does bred to the new world record X-Factor should produce some winners for us.  Thanks to Cooper Vet for their work.  I highly recommend them for your Lap AI.  Their contact information is:

Cooper Veterinary Hospital

5234 Cypress Street

West Monroe, La 71291

318-396-8099 office

 

Dreamcatcher Semen for Sale direct from the farm

We have an excellent price on Dreamcatcher semen direct from farm.  Call now for breeding this fall.  300+ inches and a great proven producer.
Charles Black
225-588-2770
click here to email

X-Factor semen quality rated excellent

We just bred 12 of our does to X-Factor.  We had two vets checking semen quality and doing the Lap AI.  They said the semen quality was unusually exceptional.  They said it was much better than they normally see.  We were very happy to hear that the semen we were using was so good since X-Factor is such a great buck.  This new world record 509 6/8" deer will be great for a long time to come.  Contact us for nationwide sales on X-Factor semen still selling for just $4000 direct farm price.  We also have great prices on Dreamcatcher and others.
Charles Black
Whitetail Rack Ranch
225-588-2770
click here to email

X-Factor Official Website

Visit the Official X-Factor Website at http://www.x-factordeer.com/.  See the New World Record Whitetail pictures and videos soon.  X-Factor scored an official 509 6/8".  Purchase semen through us for direct from the farm price without mark-up.  This semen has never changed hands since collection.  Semen quality is excellent and shipments are being made several times each week. 

Call or email us now for semen prices on X-Factor and great deals on Dreamcatcher.  We have fawns and does for sale as well.

Charles Black
225-588-2770
daddyo@whitetailrackranch.com

Some of our Whitetail Rack Ranch 2-year olds

Here are some of our 2-year old bucks.  We're going to breed X-Factor to their sisters.

Facebook

We're now on Facebook.  Look me up as Charles Black Deer Man.

X-Factor video

Watch the X-Factor video.  Awesome compared to photo.  I was about 15 feet from him last week and he was even more awesome in person.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl87TpT-5cM

X-Factor World Record Semen for $4000/straw direct from farm



New World Record Whitetail 509 6/8" X-Factor



Semen price is still just $4000/straw!!!

X-Factor may be the Secretariat of the deer industry.  Besides his huge score he has a look that no other deer can come close to.  He will go down in history as one of the greatest whitetail bucks of all time.  He currently IS the greatest!!!  At only 3 years old he is already showing amazing pass-down genetics.  If you're hearing rumors about him call me.  We have the official score sheet with the SCI Master Scorer's signature.  Semen was collected and stored by well known Earl Souva.  Purchase of this semen is farm-direct sales, not semen that I purchased to resell.  With semen selling for $10,000 to $15,000 per straw you may not believe his current price but the owners are still selling it for just $4000/straw while supplies last.  Look at his picture and ask yourself if he's worth putting him in your does!!!  Call me at (225) 588-2770 or email me at daddyo@whitetailrackranch.com. I will be working on the new official website for X-Factor.  Stay tuned.

X-Factor

Sorry I haven't been here in a while.  X-Factor is the first white-tailed deer to be officially scored to break the 500" mark.  This Rolex son and High Roller grandson scored 509 6/8" SCI today.  We bought exclusive semen rights in Mississippi and Louisiana for his semen sales.  A truly amazing deer.  We'll be breeding some of our RDM Goliath does to him this fall.  Contact us for semen, bred does, fawns and bucks.

This picture shows the food plot after taking the fence down.  Notice at the end of the plot deer are feeding in the section that had been excluded but not the part to the left of where the fence was.  I hope to finish the other fences today or tomorrow.  50 acres takes a while to complete!  Be aware that deer can get tangled in the electric fence.  Hard antlered bucks are the worst.  We live on our deer ranch and are in the pens often each day.  I feel comfortable with the fence but just use caution.  It's been used in South America for years.

Food Plot Exclusion Fence Picture

I'm taking down this trial exclusion fence today and start fencing all of my other food plots. You can see a distinct difference in just 3 weeks of using the fence. I'll update after the other food plots come up and start growing.

Food Plot Exclusion Fence Update

I've had my test fence up on my food plot long enough to be satisfied with it. Tomorrow I'll start putting up a fence in each pen to exclude the deer from the food plots for about three weeks. Then I'll plant the other side of the pens.

I've had a couple of deer out of about 100 that have consistently gone under the fence into the food plot daily but there is a very distinct line where the fence runs through the middle of the food plot. None of the other deer have been in the excluded portion.

I only have one 1" electric tape up. I'll take this one down and all of the others will have two electric strands, one tape and one rope. I'll give more details with pictures when I'm finished.

Louisiana Buck and Doe Fawns for Sale

We will be selling bred does for a couple of more weeks. After that we'll be selling yearling does and bucks as well as buck and doe fawns. Most of what we will sell is from our 200" genetics stock. We will have a very few fawns that may be available from some of our yearlings. VooDoo, with a High Roller background, will have one buck fawn and one doe fawn available for $7500/each. These fawns will be great for adding the High Roller look to your breeding operation. VooDoo had 22 points last year as a yearling.

We will also offer some of our foundation does A.I.'d to the legendary 300" 30-30. We will A.I. these does for the fall of 2010. We only have 6 left so place your order now.

Email me at daddyo@whitetailrackranch.com and check our website at www.WhitetailRackRanch.com.

Antler Drop Finally Happened

I was finally able to pull our Redoy Joe 200" buck's remaining antler off yesterday. I've tried numerous times before unsuccessfully but I was able to tug hard enough to finally remove it. He showed some signs that there might be some infection around the base where new antler had already started. We've given some antibiotics twice and he already looks and acts better. I don't know why it took so long but it's a relief to us and I'm sure him that it's finally over.

Temporary Exclusion Fencing for Food Plots

I had some previous experience with electric fencing to exclude mule deer in the Texas Panhandle. A client had problems with mule deer entering her lawn area and devastating her flowers. She had a large yard on a lake in a canyon and planted $100's in flowers every year only to be destroyed by the mule deer. I installed a single 1" wide electric tape using rebar posts and screw-on insulators. In the years following until they moved, deer only entered the property twice. Once when the fence controller malfunctioned and once when a guy installing Christmas lights unplugged the controller.

I've tried it on one of my food plots for my white-tailed deer. I still have to tweak it but very few deer have compromised the barrier. I wouldn't use the fence as an inclusion fence but to keep them out I think it should work pretty well. The electric tape flutters in the wind and the deer walk up and touch their noses to it to check it out. Zap and they're gone. I've had a couple go under the fence without touching it but will make some changes in the next few days. I'll update you soon.

Great Pyrenees Puppies are Great

We have 5 Great Pyrenees puppies. They are 9 weeks old and have been weaned for 3 weeks. The puppies are still together in a pen with our white-tailed deer. The deer and puppies are doing well together. The puppies follow us as we ride through the pen in our mini-truck. They wait at the corner as we leave to go to the next pen and remain until we return. They rarely go through a gate since I have been training them to remain in the pen unless I allow them out. They have been amazing. They are exploring all over the 18 acre pen. One caught a mouse and ate it while we were watching! I'm not sure if she thought it was a predator and needed to be eliminated. They are inquisitive and independent. I think they'll work out great when we separate them into there own deer pens.

Antler Drop Still Delayed

Our 200" buck, Redoy Joe, still hasn't lost the second half of his antlers. It's been 3 months. He has new growth under the still remaining antler. It is still very well attached. He's tame enough to let me pull on it and it won't come off. Not sure what this will do to this year's antler growth. We have some really great 2-year olds that are coming along great.

Delay Losing Antlers

One of our older breeder bucks scores a little over 200". He lost his first half of his antlers on January 19. He still has his other side. He has about 2" of growth on the side he lost and the side that still has antlers is swelling around the base. Last year he went about 1 month after losing his first side. Not sure what causes this. It's typical for him.

Behavior Modification

This is one of our buck fawns. He wasn't bottle fed. We’ve been working on behavior modification with our deer and we’ve seen some amazing results. They aren’t normally this tame unless they’ve been bottle fed and handled when young. This one was only touched once when newborn and we did our initial tagging, microchipping, etc. I started working with him about 1 month ago. He'll start standing on his back legs for a cookie as soon as I walk in the pen. I was in the pen yesterday and "felt" someone was looking at me. He was behind me on his back legs looking over my shoulder!

If we can alter behavior to make the deer more tame we believe stress levels will be lower and health will be improved. I also believe the bucks will have more antler growth. Less stress should also result in higher growth rates, better milk production, and better body condition. The main disadvantage for tame bucks is they are more dangerous during the breeding season. NEVER trust a buck in hard antler!

Ruptured udder

We ran a doe through our Papa handler to insert a CIDR. She was very tame. Once in the handler she kicked violently until the hood was on and she calmed down. When she came out, her bag was loose and hanging.

The next day, her bag was swollen. We were able to milk her while she stood in the pen. She had a little blood in the front quarters. There are many blood vessels in the udder area and we assume some of these had ruptured. We started her on antibiotics and Banamine using our veterinarians' suggestions.

After two weeks, the sides of the udder were raw where her legs had been rubbing. She seemed to be developing sores that we thought may be abscesses. We put her back in the handler to inspect and doctor it. Once she was in the handler and she was squeezed in the wedge, her bag ruptured and the entire bottom opened up. Several pieces of baseball sized tissue came out with bloody liquid. There must have been an abscess inside the bag. We disinfected the area and sprayed it with AlumShield to protect it. The next morning she had cleaned all of the Alum coating off.

We kept her on antibiotics and sprayed for insect control. She gradually healed and within 2 weeks was almost back to normal. She may not be able to produce milk next year but her genetics are good enough that we'll bottle feed her fawns if necessary.

If she had not been tame, we may not have been able to save her. Being persistent after an injury can end with good results. Tame animals make treating them more successful as well.

Cheek Absceses

I've had problems every year with a few fawns getting abscesses on their cheeks and jaws. Sometimes they will finally rupture and drain but I've had to lance some myself and drain them.

Fusogard is a vaccination for foot rot. The bacteria that causes foot rot also causes abscesses commonly found on the cheeks, especially young fawns. Vaccinating the fawns with Fusogard may prevent the abscesses. I've heard from another deer breeder and two veterinarians that substantiate that claim. It's certainly worth a try if you're handling your fawns anyway. As always, ask your veterinarian for his advice.

Semen Collection

James Chenvert and Lori Parker from Genex in Baton Rouge collected semen on some of our yearling bucks last weekend. We were very pleased with their work. If you need collection or storage give them a call at 225-578-3294.

LSU Veterinary School

Saturday, November 7, 2009 LSU veterinarians and students were at our ranch along with Genex from Baton Rouge for semen collection on some of our yearling bucks. We hope allowing students to participate encourages their involvement in the cervid field when they graduate. We need qualified veterinarians to help us in our ever growing industry. The veterinarians, Dr. Christine Navarre and Dr. Marge Gill were great. The students were interested in what we were doing and very eager to lend a helping hand. Thanks to all of you.

Pasteurella Causes Deaths

Pasteurella is a bacteria normally found in the upper respiratory tract of animals and in the environment. Although very common, they may be difficult to control because of resistance to antibiotics. A culture may need to be run to determine which drug will work. DON'T WASTE TIME! You need to get this under control as quickly as possible.

I was reading a University of Florida article. As I always say, controlling stress greatly decreases health problems. The article stated:

"Prevention: All you have to do is ..... Don't stress the animals and don't expose them to IBR, BVD, PI-3 or BRSV.... they won't get sick with pasteurellosis. But animals do get stressed, and these viral infections are commonplace across the United States. We try to prevent the disease pasteurellosis by keeping the resistance level in the animal above the disease challenge level. The tools we use to maintain this separation are: minimizing stress, vaccinating, and antibiotics. By minimizing stress on the animal we may keep the animal's defenses from being compromised. Remember .... the animal's normal body defenses keep the Pasteurella infections in check and since IBR, BVD, PI-3 and BRSV infections reduce the natural respiratory tract defenses, keep the animals vaccinated against these viruses." 1. 2.

Footnotes

1.

This document is VM-63, one of a series of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Date reviewed May 1996. Please visit the FAIRS Web site at http://hammock.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

E. J. Richey, DVM, Professor and Beef Cattle Specialist, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611.

Artificial Insemenation female condom collection

I haven't been able to find much information available on collecting semen using female condoms. If anyone reading this post has any information please let us know.

Female condoms for collection are used for horses. The condom is inserted in the female and the male is allowed to live-breed. The condom containing the ejaculate is retrieved. I would much rather run a tame doe in my handler and remove a condom than tranquilize an expensive buck.

Sounds like a great idea but I just haven't found the information I need to get started.

Herd Dogs

We recently added 2 Great Pyrenees dogs to one of our deer pens. We've been very pleased so far. These were grown dogs that had been with goats. We started them off in a pen without deer but next to pens that had some. They tolerated the dogs after just a few days. The Pyrs never barked at the deer or chased them along the fence. After moving them to a pen of whitetails my fears of the deer becoming alarmed and bouncing off the fence have been dismissed. I still wouldn't put them in a confined setting like an alley or small holding pen together but in a larger pen they do quite well.

These great white dogs have a long history of herd protection. They are very gentle and calm. I haven't witnessed it but everyone that has experience with them says they can be vicious in protecting their territory. They were bred to fight bears and wolves while protecting sheep in France. If they can do that, then surely I won't worry about dogs or coyotes getting in the pens. We plan to expand our dogs to include them in every pen.

If you want more information, feel free to contact me or Google them. Here is one link with some facts about this great breed. The website is www.greatpyr.com

Internal Parasites of Fawns

One of the most common problems of fawn death is internal parasites. Does should be wormed just before fawning, as parasites can be transmitted to the fetus in the womb. Fawns may be wormed at birth if you're handling them anyway. Check with your veterinarian for proper dosage and administration.

It's been suggested by a veterinarian that the EHD virus can be transmitted by saliva and feces. If you have an infected animal it's best to remove it to quarantine if possible. I add a small amount of chlorine to my water troughs every day. That may reduce transmission through the water but they would still possibly contaminate the feed. We're still in the learning phase of EHD but Blue Tongue is so similar and so much research has been done, especially in Europe that we might be able to use some of their practices to aid us.

Symptoms that a deer had EHD.
One of the symptoms that a deer has had EHD is that the coronary band at the top of the hoof will be very red. The normal color is a sort of clear gray. You may have to move the hair back from the hoof to be able to see it. Sometimes it's so noticeable that you can see it if you get close enough and use binoculars without having to touch the deer. After you see this sign you may eventually notice hoof sloughing or the deer may just walk tenderly because of pain in the hooves.

Back Rub for Deer Insect Control

This is one of the things I do to help control the Culicoides gnat that is the vector carrying the EHD and Blue Tongue viruses. I ordered my back rubs from Jeffers Vet Supply using the rub and flyps. I use diesel and a permethrin product Ultra Boss. It's marketed for cattle. As always, check with your veterinarian for their suggestions on using anything that may be off-label use. I start out with the rub uncharged and hanging as high as I can get it, usually 7 or 8 feet. I hang it where the deer will have to use an opening to go for food or water. After a day or so I'll start lowering it a little each day until I get it to the height I want. Then I charge it with the mixture. I haven't had any problems of the deer not using it. If you place it where the use is voluntary you probably won't get much benefit from it. This is the link for Jeffers http://www.jefferslivestock.com/ssc/. Use their search window. Enter "Cow Life Cattle Rub", "face flyps", and "UltraBoss" to find the products. Jeffers has great prices.
http://www.jefferslivestock.com/ssc/