Icelandic Chickens

[NotAFarm]

Here is a quote from the Heritage Large Fowl thread:

Quote: 3riverschick This post made me think of how I should be handling my Icelandic flock.

My original two hens were hatched the first week of May '10. They hatched their first broods the first week of May and first week of June the following year. Chicks were "weaned" by the hens around 5 or 6 weeks and the hens went back to laying and sat on and raised a second brood. They went into a molt near the end of raising the second group.
I think this is most likely a time frame that Icelandics in Iceland would have followed.
That same year, I let my SLW hatch Icelandic eggs the end of March and then I incubated some for the Easter Hatchalong (in April that year), the pullets went broody in the late fall. Bad timing for chicks here.
I had a couple of pullets go broody last year during the Easter Hatchalong and put eggs from the incubator under them to hatch. If I had let they have "fresh" eggs instead of "started" ones, they would have hatched out mid-April.
I'm going to try and let them follow their natural cycle this year. Early broodies this year will be raising New Hampshires, later ones will raise Icelandics.

 

[Farmerboy16]

Here is a quote from the Heritage Large Fowl thread:

Hi Matt,
Not only that, but some breeds have a definite breeding season bred into their historic record.
In Sussex fowl, the breed was created to be great winter layers. Plus be ready to be crammed and ready for market for english Derby Day celebrations. This required the chicks to be hatched from Jan. thru March.They should be done hatching by the 1st week of April. The historic record tells us the best winter layers are March hatched. And the females need to be winter layers so the chicks can be hatched early enough to be ready to eat at Derby Day. I see folk complaining their Sussex don't lay during the winter. But when were those birds hatched?
Sussex fowl were specialized for very specific purposes. When one does not breed them according to the historic record, one trifles with the productive abilities built into that variety and/or the breed itself. In fact, each color variety was bred for a specific purpose.
Best,
Karen

This post made me think of how I should be handling my Icelandic flock.

My original two hens were hatched the first week of May '10.  They hatched their first broods the first week of May and first week of June the following year.  Chicks were "weaned" by the hens around 5 or 6 weeks and the hens went back to laying and sat on and raised a second brood.  They went into a molt near the end of raising the second group.
I think this is most likely a time frame that Icelandics in Iceland would have followed.  
That same year, I let my SLW hatch Icelandic eggs the end of March and then I incubated some for the Easter Hatchalong (in April that year), the pullets went broody in the late fall.  Bad timing for chicks here.
I had a couple of pullets go broody last year during the Easter Hatchalong and put eggs from the incubator under them to hatch. If I had let they have "fresh" eggs instead of "started" ones, they would have hatched out mid-April.
I'm going to try and let them follow their natural cycle this year.  Early broodies this year will be raising New Hampshires, later ones will raise Icelandics.

That is an interesting read!

 

[NotAFarm]

Hi Daron! How's the MI winter treating you?

 

[mlm Mike]

Here is a quote from the Heritage Large Fowl thread:
Quote:
Hi Matt,
Not only that, but some breeds have a definite breeding season bred into their historic record.
In Sussex fowl, the breed was created to be great winter layers. Plus be ready to be crammed and ready for market for english Derby Day celebrations. This required the chicks to be hatched from Jan. thru March.They should be done hatching by the 1st week of April. The historic record tells us the best winter layers are March hatched. And the females need to be winter layers so the chicks can be hatched early enough to be ready to eat at Derby Day. I see folk complaining their Sussex don't lay during the winter. But when were those birds hatched?
Sussex fowl were specialized for very specific purposes. When one does not breed them according to the historic record, one trifles with the productive abilities built into that variety and/or the breed itself. In fact, each color variety was bred for a specific purpose.
Best,
Karen


This post made me think of how I should be handling my Icelandic flock.

My original two hens were hatched the first week of May '10. They hatched their first broods the first week of May and first week of June the following year. Chicks were "weaned" by the hens around 5 or 6 weeks and the hens went back to laying and sat on and raised a second brood. They went into a molt near the end of raising the second group.
I think this is most likely a time frame that Icelandics in Iceland would have followed.
That same year, I let my SLW hatch Icelandic eggs the end of March and then I incubated some for the Easter Hatchalong (in April that year), the pullets went broody in the late fall. Bad timing for chicks here.
I had a couple of pullets go broody last year during the Easter Hatchalong and put eggs from the incubator under them to hatch. If I had let they have "fresh" eggs instead of "started" ones, they would have hatched out mid-April.
I'm going to try and let them follow their natural cycle this year. Early broodies this year will be raising New Hampshires, later ones will raise Icelandics.

I think I'm going to keep track of when mine go broody. I would much rather broody hens raise the chicks. Right now I have a broody EE.

 

[janelle18]

8/9 of my icelandic eggs when into lockdown today!!!

 

[NotAFarm]

8/9 of my icelandic eggs when into lockdown today!!!

It won't be long now......mine here at home hatch at 19-20 days!

 

[mbmess2003]

8/9 of my icelandic eggs when into lockdown today!!!

Did you get them from NotAFarm too? I have 12 of 14 locked down....

 

[NotAFarm]

Quote: No, Brad, not from me, she has her own flock but I don't think she has hatched any before.
I can hardly wait until you can post pics of yours!

 

[mbmess2003]

Can't wait either! Loved the sign you posted on other thread. My mom is painting a Pennsylvania Dutch Hex Sign that I can put on the coop. I'm also designing one the will be specifically for the Icelandics "landing in Louisiana" will post pics when it's all said and done

 

[NotAFarm]

It will be extra special since she made it for you!