Icelandic Chickens

[NotAFarm]

I grew some to try on the feed for the chickens, but forgot to harvest them before letting the American Guinea Hogs in the garden for the winter.

Ooopps!

 

[RedIII]

Farmberboy, whoops! I had a similar problem with my tomatoes this year. The chickens seemed to think it was awfully nice of me to plant some just for them to munch on

 

[Jake Levi]

Most all birds benifit from cayenne pepper, red pepper seeds too.

I have regularly incubated eggs from hens under one year of age, the quality of the chick isnt hurt from having a younger mother. By the time that they are 7-8 mos old their eggs are very close to what they will be. Genetically the eggs are useable from the very first if they are fertilized.

 

[Hangtown Farms]

I have read here that it helps hens to lay, and keeps rodents away from the feed. I grew some to try on the feed for the chickens, but forgot to harvest them before letting the American Guinea Hogs in the garden for the winter.

oh brutal

 

[Mahonri]

I've used the cayenne pepper before... I don't know that it really works... BUT it DOES NOT keep the rodents away here in AZ. I wish it did!

 

[Jake Levi]

I have never heard of it keeping rodents away, it certainly doesnt in Mexico or India.

But it does contribute to the health and also to colors, especially reds.

 

[RedIII]

Well, the pepper didn't quite work like I'd hoped. I did get a couple of eggs, one from a BSL who's our regular layer, and one from the mystery white-egger. I'm not sure if I didn't use enough pepper, if the turkeys ate most of it, or if it just didn't work.

We had a snowstorm arrive last night, and this morning there's white on the ground. It's interesting to me to see how the Icelandics act with the snow, as well as the other breeds of chicken we have here. Both of my Icee cockerels had wet backs this morning when I checked on them, so I grabbed one out of concern and proceeded to towel him off. I was kind of surprised to find just how thick his feathers were for insulation. He didn't seem bothered by the moisture at all. I'll still be keeping an eye on them throughout the day.

 

[lmatvey]

I'm trying the red pepper flakes today!

 

[ronott1]

I'm trying the red pepper flakes today!

I kept worrying about the low number of eggs last year, until I realized that there was not too much daylight left.

I set up lights and an timer for them.

 

[Hangtown Farms]

I kept worrying about the low number of eggs last year, until I realized that there was not too much daylight left.

I set up lights and an timer for them.

Ron,
I know you want some icelandics