Icelandic Chickens

[mlm Mike]

Cute video Red.

 

[Jake Levi]

Yup, its my fault !

All my Icelandics move in a blur, or vibrate when standing in place,

as in a hatcher,

I moved eggs to the hatcher this afternoon, to be safe for the moving day tomorrow, so, my blury chicks are in a hurry, always precocious, have two chicks hatched, and two more eggs piping, that are due to be hatching Monday. So you want them to stand still for just a picture !

Cute video, ditto loving the chicks going through the wire, funny.

 

[mlm Mike]

Great more Icelandic chicks!

 

[Jake Levi]

Yup, got five early birds in the hatcher, out of a bakers dozen, one more pipping. I expect them to be done by tomorrow, we'll see . Of the bakers dozen 2 are Delawares. They will go the full time I am sure.

Gotta love tough chickens like these!

Shorter incubation time has to be a great survival factor in a shorter warm season like Iceland has.

 

[karimw]

I just love the one little Del I hatched, just a little ball of fluff on bright yellow legs

 

[Myrth]

So, I am about 1/3 of the way through this thread. I suspect this has been answered at some point, but I have not caught it yet, so sorry if this is a repeat. I have some basic questions.

Obviously the pullet eggs of this breed are pretty small. How large are the mature hen eggs? I noticed that many people in this thread seem to keep other breeds for a laying flock. Does anyone here just keep Icelandics, and if so, are you happy with their egg production?

Does anyone here butcher the extra roos? How do they dress out?

I am hoping to hear good reports on this, as they sound like they should be a great homesteading breed.

 

[RedIII]

Myrth, my hens don't lay terribly huge eggs, but I have seen eggs from other peoples' Icee flocks that are closer to what I'd call a large store-bought size. Mine are probably more of a medium. They do lay frequently, though, when they aren't throwing a tantrum over being penned. I was averaging at least 5 eggs per hen per week for a little while, there.

Jake, just for you.

See the one wandering? I named him Reiki (probably got it wrong, but it's based on "Reika".)


Sky.

Blurry babies! I don't think these ones are Jake's fault, though

And, check out the comb and wattle development on my chocolate chick. Boy, I think. Did I call it, or what? I think he may end up mottled.

 

[mlm Mike]

So, I am about 1/3 of the way through this thread. I suspect this has been answered at some point, but I have not caught it yet, so sorry if this is a repeat. I have some basic questions.

Obviously the pullet eggs of this breed are pretty small. How large are the mature hen eggs? I noticed that many people in this thread seem to keep other breeds for a laying flock. Does anyone here just keep Icelandics, and if so, are you happy with their egg production?

Does anyone here butcher the extra roos? How do they dress out?

I am hoping to hear good reports on this, as they sound like they should be a great homesteading breed.

Egg size seems to be medium/large. Lay about 5 eggs per week. Most us keep multiple breeds of chicken. The "layer flock" is just hens not used for breeding. They could be accidental crosses, or hens not up to some other breeds standard. Some of us want colorful egg baskets so we might keep some blue, green, dark brown, and or brown layers in our "layer flock". It really has nothing to do with the quantity of eggs from the Icelandics. Its a good excuse ot keep more chickens.

I have my extras processed by someone else, I really don't know which ones that come back were the Icelandic roosters.

 

[Jake Levi]

I call that chocolate one a he too. Going to be a beautiful one also !

I have eight early birds going down to the brooder almost momentarily, their first drink then food and a heat lamp. I still have five of the set, thats due to start hatching tonight, if, they were going to hatch at 20 days, these eight started on the 18th day. One chipmunk and 7 white/yellow.

Going to be a fascinating hatch, these are by my Isi. The 'old man' of the flock, though he is only 3 now. He is RC, but my hens are SC and I do need some RC hens. And Crests, no crests here, yet.

I also have two Delaware eggs set that are due tomorrow eve. Kari if I make it out to the Iowa Blue meet next year I will bring you a couple more Delawares or some eggs. It looks like out of this years hatch I have just one cockeral, so far. Love them, super docile chicks. My Icelandics want me to stand still so they can check me out at their leisure. every breed has its differences in how they relate.

Both breeds are excellent at giving predator alarms and responding.

Life is good, and better with Icelandic Chickens!

 

[Desert Springs]

Red, The first picture has me wondering about it....because of the wattles...how old are they now and when were those pictures taken? Any chance of getting a current picture with both of them in it?



Quote:

Mary, the pictures were taken less than a week ago. I think these juveniles are about ten weeks old, if I'm remembering correctly. They may only be nine weeks. Somewhere in there. I don't know if I can get a picture of them side by side anytime soon. Christina works her tail off day and night, and her place is somewhat of a drive from where I live. I'll see what I can do, though!



Hi Whitney, Hi Mary (Not AFarm, love the name)!!

I have the flu

and am down in bed, so am catching up on this thread. I will try and get a pic with them together. Because the roo is bigger, he's in a separate pen. My juvenile chickens are grouped by size, since I have so many breeds/colors and find their safety is more insured when the smaller and slower growers are kept together, thus resulting in three different juvenile pens (that's not even counting the separate incubation/hatching and 'newly hatched chick' building...lol). I'm hoping to move the largest juveniles to their breed perspective coop/run with their adult countermates very soon, so I'll try and get more pics then. Once the juvies get moved I'll have more space for the Icees to be just by themselves.

BUSY< BUSY<BUSY!! (No wonder I'm ill...lol).