Icelandic Chickens

[RedIII]

I recently saw an ad for Icelandic hatching eggs for sale. Definitely reasonably priced but if Icelandics are so diverse in color, comb, etc. how can I tell if they are truly Icelandic Chickens?

You have to know if the seller is honest and has kept them pure, and where they got their stock from, really.

 

[mlm Mike]

Quote: X2

It's really a matter of obtaining your stock from a trusted source.

 

[kathleens1979]

Hi Kathleen! I am in Tooele, but I grew up in West Valley. Those are some very nice birds you have there

They are some awesome birds, thanks to Mary!!!

They have been better layers and better foragers than my other 10 hens, although since I have let them out to free range with the nicer weather, they have been laying their eggs secretly someplace- they have been super steady 2 to 3 per day from the 3 of them and the last few days I have gotten 1 or none. They have to be secretly laying someplace else, by I haven't found them yet...

 

[kathleens1979]

X2

It's really a matter of obtaining your stock from a trusted source. 

Any chance you could pick up the eggs in person and see their stock? I get leery about ordering eggs from anyone unless I can actually see what they've got, plus shipped eggs never hatch that well for me anyway.

 

[NotAFarm]

I recently saw an ad for Icelandic hatching eggs for sale. Definitely reasonably priced but if Icelandics are so diverse in color, comb, etc. how can I tell if they are truly Icelandic Chickens?

With Icelandics, more than any other, it is truly "Caveat emptor", let the buyer beware. Icelandics are only truly Icelandic if their gene pool has been kept pure since they left Iceland. You can not breed a crossbred Icelandic back to purity. If you have a Rhode Island Red and cross it with something to gain size or some other trait, you can breed back to other Rhode Island Reds and eventually get a bird that looks like an American Poultry Association Standard Bred Rhode Island Red. They are about type (shape), feather color, leg color, type of comb, size, etc, etc, etc. If it meets the "Standard description" it is a Rhode Island Red. This is not true of Icelandics. They are a landrace breed and do not have set standards. The only thing that makes them Icelandic is their genes. Short of a DNA test, you can't know for sure.....but you can research the person who has them for sale.
Where did they get their stock?
How long have they had them?
Do they have other breeds besides Icelandics?
Are they diligent about keeping them separate so no crossbreeding can occur?
Do they have any history with them that they can share?
If you have doubts, don't.

 

[RedIII]

Speaking of Icee eggs.....

I have a torpedo launcher.

 

[NotAFarm]

Speaking of Icee eggs.....



I have a torpedo launcher.

Wow,

that is one long egg!

 

[drumstick diva]

Kathleen maybe you aren't find so many eggs because someone has gone broody - ya think? Maybe a hidden nest?

 

[kathleens1979]

Kathleen  maybe you aren't find so many eggs because someone has gone broody - ya think?  Maybe a hidden nest?

IDK Drumstick Diva. They all come into our coop at night very willingly. If one was broody and had a secret nest, wouldn't she stay outside and sit on it someplace? I've only had EEs in the past and none ever went broody (why I have an incubator now); wish they would have though! I'm sure it would be sooo much better than brooding chickies in the house!!!

 

[kathleens1979]

Speaking of Icee eggs.....

I have a torpedo launcher.

Gotta be a double yolker!