Omosako's Latest Farm News
As the UK's main dealer for Omosako Koi, they have asked us to share their latest news with UK hobbyists...
It's rainy season now in Japan, but in the nest weeks or two, this will draw to an end, and then the real Summer begins! So far, 6 Shiro Utsuri breedings have been successfully carried out, along with 2 Showa breedings. Omosako Koi Farm are very happy with the results so far.
Meet Godzilla, a new parent for Omosako for this season. She measures 92cm, and was succesfully bred on 20th May 2009. The fry pictured, are about 5mm long, and this is the first selection. The circled Koi, are entirely black ones, and these are the ones that are kept for raising in the fry ponds.
It's time for the first selection, so Takahiro-san, and Takayoshi-san run the seine net through the fry pond to catch them, so that the Senbetsu (selection) can commence.
Takahiro-san showing an expression of concentration, as not only does he have to keep the net against the edge at the top, he also has to hold the bottom of the net against the side with his heel, so that as few fry escape as possible.
Omosako-san himself selecting the 2cm long fry.
The number of Koi to be selected through on the first selection, is vast, so everyone has to pitch in and help, so that they can be selected before the water in the tank turns bad.
Takayoshi-san selecting fry... nowadays, he is the 'main man' when it comes to making decisions on important Koi.
This one is a keeper!
Another keeper!
... but there's still thousands more to select through!
Takayoshi-san releasing fry back into the fry pond.
As the fry are released, we have to hope that they will fair well through the rest of the rainy season, as the rain is acidic, and can ruin water very quickly. For this reason, the fry ponds are buffered up a little to avoid a pH crash. I look forward to seeing these Koi this coming Autumn!
A misty morning over one of Omosako's mud ponds... Stunning!
Omosako-san and Takayoshi-san checking Nisai in one of the mud ponds. They have put 100 Nisai into the mudponds this year to grow through to Sansai.
More Tategoi in the mud pond, only black & white!
Takayoshi-san having a relaxing smoke whilst observing the Kois behavoir.
Omosako-san observing the mud pond condition.
This year, Omosako have put 100 Nisai, and 1000 Tosai ito the mudponds as their Tategoi. The bloodlines of these Koi are predominantly from Musashi, Panda, Ebisu, Kurokabuto.
A few handfuls of food is thrown in to encourage the Koi to the surface, so that their condition and body weight can be observed.
'Godzilla', a new parent for this year, and 92cm.
Another new parent for Omosako this year, 'Patra'.