Icelandic Chickens

[colowyo0809]

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Thanks! Here's the link to the nest pads. This is my first time trying them but I have a hen who removes all nest material from all nest boxes even the ones she doesn't use. We have a lot of cracked and broken eggs. Hopefully this will thwart her evil endeavors.


http://www.qcsupply.com/farm-livest...-accessories/420355-standard-nesting-pad.html

these look great, and I noticed on the website that they have the ability to drain messes? However, I was thinking, would that shelf liner material work as well? maybe use several layers to provide the padding and such, but use these liners

 

[NotAFarm]

Mary (and Michael), Great job on the Icelandic barn coop!! I know they will be enjoying their well-thought-out quarters. I love my electric net fencing. So convenient to move around and rotate pasture. Mine is electrified however. The birds learned quickly to stay away from it and I haven't had any escapees over it despite the fact that it's only 4 feet tall. I have had them go over the other non-electric four foot fence though, just a caution for you. We had a beautiful frozen fog last week but today it's hovering around 20 F and we'll have single digits tonight. The Icelandic are tolerating the cold very well. I'm rotating them outside now that some of the snow melted last week and while they still spend most of the day inside, they do like to go out for periods of scratching, wing flapping, etc. The two girls are laying and I hate the idea of not hatching every one of the eggs but temps here will not be good for chick raising for another few months. I can't wait for Spring!!!!

Seinna, The Other Mary

 

[kathyinmo]

A few pictures of some of my recent hatches. More to come this next week!

 

[The Sheriff]

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Mary, the fence can be electrified we just don't have ti connected right now. If they start escaping before we are ready for them to free range we may connect the power. We used this fence when we first moved to the property and it works well. It is funky to handle but I got it installed by myself this morning. all 167 feet of it. I hear ya on the eggs. believe it or not we are eating them but fertility is down and I can't take on anymore chicks!

 

[The Sheriff]

Kathy, that black and white one is hideous. Save yourself the embarrassment of raising it and just box it up and ship it to me.

The rest of them are lovely though.

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[The Sheriff]

Quote:
Thanks! Here's the link to the nest pads. This is my first time trying them but I have a hen who removes all nest material from all nest boxes even the ones she doesn't use. We have a lot of cracked and broken eggs. Hopefully this will thwart her evil endeavors.


http://www.qcsupply.com/farm-livest...-accessories/420355-standard-nesting-pad.html

these look great, and I noticed on the website that they have the ability to drain messes? However, I was thinking, would that shelf liner material work as well? maybe use several layers to provide the padding and such, but use these liners

My hen would just take those right out. Plus I use those in my brooder and they get really disgusting when the poo builds up. The nest pads have raised plastic barb like thingies and they fit too tight for Judy to yank them out. If you try the shelf liner and it works give us a shout out. It would probably help the eggs roll if it doesn't get too yucky.

Mary

 

[kathyinmo]

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Hahaha.... There are 2 like that. I am anxious to see how they turn out! The variety is just amazing!

 

[colowyo0809]

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these look great, and I noticed on the website that they have the ability to drain messes? However, I was thinking, would that shelf liner material work as well? maybe use several layers to provide the padding and such, but use these liners

My hen would just take those right out. Plus I use those in my brooder and they get really disgusting when the poo builds up. The nest pads have raised plastic barb like thingies and they fit too tight for Judy to yank them out. If you try the shelf liner and it works give us a shout out. It would probably help the eggs roll if it doesn't get too yucky.

Mary

yeah, i guess the whole taking out thing might be a problem

however, we are using this in our duck brooder for the ducks that should be hatching next week

got the idea from Wifezilla and her duck brooder page

as long as its not affixed to the boxes then apparantly its easy to flush off

I will definitly let ya'll know how it works, we will have extra from the brooder

Also, if you have extra fertile eggs and don't know what to do with them, I can give you our address

 

[The Sheriff]

Quote:
My hen would just take those right out. Plus I use those in my brooder and they get really disgusting when the poo builds up. The nest pads have raised plastic barb like thingies and they fit too tight for Judy to yank them out. If you try the shelf liner and it works give us a shout out. It would probably help the eggs roll if it doesn't get too yucky.

Mary

yeah, i guess the whole taking out thing might be a problem

however, we are using this in our duck brooder for the ducks that should be hatching next week

got the idea from Wifezilla and her duck brooder page

as long as its not affixed to the boxes then apparantly its easy to flush off

I will definitly let ya'll know how it works, we will have extra from the brooder

Also, if you have extra fertile eggs and don't know what to do with them, I can give you our address

They have really slowed the laying down and fertility has been an issue. But send me a PM from time to time and remind me that you are interested and I'd be happy yo oblige. I'll try to get organized and get a wait list going. Yeah, right as soon as I finish these coops! Does anyone ever really finish?

 

[NotAFarm]

Kathy and Mary, Have either of you tried feather-sexing the Icelandics? I'd be interested to know if it can be done....I know it only works with some breeds.

The Other Mary