Icelandic Chickens

[RedIII]

Just hatched 4 Icees to add to my breeding flock... I hatched some other breeds and the Icelandic was the first one to hatch!




Woohoo!

 

[NotAFarm]

Just hatched 4 Icees to add to my breeding flock... I hatched some other breeds and the Icelandic was the first one to hatch!



Congrats! They seem to always be "the early bird"!

 

[debs_flock]

Quote:

Congrats! They seem to always be "the early bird"!

Yes, always day 19-20 for me.

 

[NotAFarm]

Another thing I notice about them, is the hens don't "nurture" their chicks as long as other breeds. I had some eggs I split between three broody hens. All hatched over the same two day period. The German New Hampshire and Wyandotte are still "mothering" theirs. The Icelandic has weaned hers. The "free" ones return each evening to their "broody coop" and I close them up and give them a separate feeding of mealworms or scrambled eggs. They are out each morning hunting bugs and taking care of themselves at four weeks old.
No "scientific evidence" to back it up, but I believe the shorter incubation time and early independence were necessary to get more than one clutch per year raised in a harsh climate.

Enjoying the outdoors......

 

[Jake Levi]

Another thing I notice about them, is the hens don't "nurture" their chicks as long as other breeds. I had some eggs I split between three broody hens. All hatched over the same two day period. The German New Hampshire and Wyandotte are still "mothering" theirs. The Icelandic has weaned hers. The "free" ones return each evening to their "broody coop" and I close them up and give them a separate feeding of mealworms or scrambled eggs. They are out each morning hunting bugs and taking care of themselves at four weeks old.
No "scientific evidence" to back it up, but I believe the shorter incubation time and early independence were necessary to get more than one clutch per year raised in a harsh climate.

Enjoying the outdoors......

I think that you are right on,I think that its a survival trait in a harsh environment. First ones on their own are the survivors.

Also I agree on the precocious hatching, my Icelandics have always been the first. I am hoping next year that my hatching will be by broody moms. The Icelandics and Iowa Blues.

 

[Jake Levi]

Has anyone else noticed that the American Lifestock Breeding Conservancy has added the Icelandic Chicken and is now monitoring its numbers?

Nice to be noticed and appreciated.

My new hatches are now showing off in each group. Bigger at first then the Iowa Blues but they start to level off, the IBs will mature bigger. Maybe next year when some of Magnus' pullets raise some chicks I'll see more size.

 

[NotAFarm]

Jake, I saw that in the ALBC e-newsletter. Good news to know they will be monitoring numbers.

It is hot here today and there is a heat advisory until tomorrow at 7 PM. The Icees seem to be taking it fine. The only one I'm worried about is Elska. She is sitting on eggs. I'll watch to see if she gets off today for a break....the eggs will be fine in this heat without her on them!

 

[CochinBrahmaLover]

Anyone have Icelandic chicks for sale ? Or adults ? In Alaska? We bought some last year, none made it (******* turkeys squishing them) but we wanted to try again. Or, at the very least, calm down my egg killing broody (one a great hatcher, bad mum. Other caused the great hatcher to kill a bunch. But she might be a good mum, if not we have a brooder, lol). If you have any in Alaska PM please (well be in Valdez next weekend too, so if your down that ways... LOL)

 

[Happy Chooks]

Another thing I notice about them, is the hens don't "nurture" their chicks as long as other breeds. I had some eggs I split between three broody hens. All hatched over the same two day period. The German New Hampshire and Wyandotte are still "mothering" theirs. The Icelandic has weaned hers. The "free" ones return each evening to their "broody coop" and I close them up and give them a separate feeding of mealworms or scrambled eggs. They are out each morning hunting bugs and taking care of themselves at four weeks old.
No "scientific evidence" to back it up, but I believe the shorter incubation time and early independence were necessary to get more than one clutch per year raised in a harsh climate.

Enjoying the outdoors......

Cute babies. I've noticed the same with their mothering. My broody BR is still mothering her babies and my Icelandic has weaned hers.

Lukka being the exception of course.

 

[coldupnorth]

Some of my 4-5 month old Icelandics that are growing out in a pen next to their parents. Still am loving the different color combinations that show up with them. Neither of the very definite roos look like their father. How does one decide who they want to keep?

Taken before the girls decided to abandon the boys


Kinda blurry, but not all of them are single comb. Black one is one of NotAFarms. Though even with this past extremely cold winter, you can't even tell my main roo had any frostbite and he's got a big comb. So maybe Icelandics are better at protecting their combs in the cold than other SC breeds.

Two of the brothers (dad is peeking through the pen next to them)