Icelandic Chickens

[karimw]

Idaho? I'm going to be in Boise over the 4th of July.

 

[OrchidCanoe]

Hello, Icelandic chicken lovers! I got 4 icelandic chicks from a friend about a month ago, I'm wondering if anyone has had any luck sexing them at about a month of age. 3 have that have small single spikey combs, and one has a cushion style comb and is larger, its also the largest chick from the same batch. What sex do you think it is, or is it a genetic defect? I'll take some more photos today.


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This is another one with the single comb.

 

[rairai979]

Hello, Icelandic chicken lovers! I got 4 icelandic chicks from a friend about a month ago, I'm wondering if anyone has had any luck sexing them at about a month of age. 3 have that have small single spikey combs, and one has a cushion style comb and is larger, its also the largest chick from the same batch. What sex do you think it is, or is it a genetic defect? I'll take some more photos today.


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This is another one with the single comb.




I don't know how to sex them, but they are adorable!

 

[debs_flock]

Hello, Icelandic chicken lovers! I got 4 icelandic chicks from a friend about a month ago, I'm wondering if anyone has had any luck sexing them at about a month of age. 3 have that have small single spikey combs, and one has a cushion style comb and is larger, its also the largest chick from the same batch. What sex do you think it is, or is it a genetic defect? I'll take some more photos today.


??



This is another one with the single comb.

They're a little young, so it's a bit of a WAG, but I'd go boy on both of them.

The first picture, because of the cluster of feathers over the shoulders between the wings. It's been my experience that boys feather that way first.

In the second picture, because of the amount of comb growing. With a SC pullet, you don't get much length to the comb so early.

 

[Jake Levi]

Ditto what she said !

Cockerals 'usually' are growthier then the pullets, and show earlier development of the secondary sexual characteristics. Combs, wattles, feathering in various areas.

But, the ultimate authority here as to what is what on early chooks is our beloved moderator Happy Chooks.

One of the things that I love about the Icelandics is their variability, but that said some things are to be expected and that is cockerals tend to grow faster then pullets and develop different traits quicker. And its sure fun to watch both develop!

 

[Jake Levi]

I should have said ' cockerels develop secondary sexual characteristics earlier then pullets.'

Combs, wattles and feathering are all more pronounced early on in the cockerels, as is growth. Its often a matter of degree in them. To keep it interesting some pullets also show early in one trait or another.

 

[racuda]

Would anyone want a really pretty Icelandic cockerel? He is 12 weeks old. I am near Asheboro NC.

 

[Jake Levi]

He is a beauty for sure. I hope that you find a home for him soon. How old is he?

 

[racuda]

12 weeks.

 

[Happy Chooks]

My Icelandic broody took her chicks (not Icelandic chicks) out yesterday.