Icelandic Chickens

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Lynn,

We have an idealogical difference here. Icelandics are not a show, meat, or egg breed. They are a unique part of a cultural heritage resulting from the chicken and human ability to survive together in the harshest of environments for over 1100 years. To say that their genetics would strengthen other breeds is daydreaming (not to be insulting, speaking very realistically!) because one quality that these Icelandics possess is that no two are ever exactly alike! They would absolutely destroy any breed you crossed them with. Its their saving grace! I would stand firmly committed with Kathy and Mary to NEVER let an egg, chick or adult Icelandic into the hands of folks who would cross them with anything else. It would break an unwritten code of honor amongst us who are carefully preserving this breed. Please just choose another breed to be creative with. Its no crime to be creative with chickens and there are thousands out there to work with. But please do not get creative with these Icelandics. As we expand the realm of Icelandic Chickens Preservation, it will be wise for us to adress the issue of commitment to Preservation, possibly registration, at any rate some form of accountability here, but right now we are counting on honesty and integrity.

Sincerely,
Andy
 
Colowyo0809,

Thanks for your post and respect for our objective of preservation. I concur with your wisdom, and in choosing to not have Icelandics you help in our goal! We welcome you to share in all of our stories, pictures and assorted fun such as Mary's Donkeys! Thanks again!

Andy in Fredericksburg
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Well I guess it is a good thing I am not offended easily and I am not very easily dissuaded in my decisions either!!! As I said, I did not open this discussion for the sake of offending anyone, and as I also stated I in no way intend to CROSS the Icelandics in any way. I have seen and read a lot about genetic diversity and was curious as to the Icelandic. I will continue to dug into the heritage and read all I can about them. It is evident that sometime in their heritage they were crossed with something as ALL chickens are. I like them as they are and think they should be kept PURE!!! I do have a friend that helps me butcher all my CULLS and I am sure when the need arises the EXTRA Icelandics I may have will be a great addition to my families food larder!!! I have no qualms with eating what I raise, I raise chickens, rabbits, pigs and cattle for this purpose right now, have raised 6 kids on some of the best meat feed can produce!!!!! I also have a 1/4 acre garden and do lots of canning!!! Thank you all for your dedication to this breed, it is well deserved!!! Lynn in Okla.
 
Kathy, thanks for suggesting this thread, I'm only on page 57 but I'm learning lots and hope to catch up soon. I have been busy with the 27 chicks I just hatched. I multi-task by reading while I'm handling the new babies, I like them to be tame enough to handle should they need medical care. Besides, who doesn't like to play with fuzzies?
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I, have followed this thread for a year now because I find it great read. So here is my Question to anyone who can answer this question for me. How would you know if a Icelandic was cross bred with another breed? I am interested in getting involved with a heritage breed but it won't be Icelandic. Beautiful birds, but it would just stress me out worrying if I gave one to someone I would be responsible if that chicken was cross bred after I released ownership of it. I give all of you my best with your adventure and thanks for sharing your adventures with this forum.
 
A week or so ago I posted in part the following question twice at a roughly two day interval.

"Will you and your fellows interested in the breed at some point begin exchanging birds to conserve genetic diversity?"

A single effort answered or set me on track to get information I desired. Since, I have also caught up on most of the thread pertaining to Icelandic chickens and also managed to follow some of the tangents as well.

I am still very much interested in what is being considered for long-term genetic conservation of this breed or unique population (not a species). The efforts of interest are in the United States since according to what is reported of Icelandic law, birds exported from that country, will no longer figure into their livestock programs owing to bio-security issues and conservation of the unique genetic character of their landrace stocks.

In my trained opinion, the number of birds founding the U.S. populations, if all derived from "The Wardens" flock repressent only a tiny fraction of the genetic variation found in the source population of Iceland. Such a small number of birds being ancestors of all birds in U.S. makes for a population that is already different from the source. Swapping birds between breeding flocks is ideal for conserving the genetic diversity that is present in U.S. but a problem remains. Our rearing conditions can and do select for traits that would not be selected for in Icelandics native lands. This is going to be especially important in areas where conditions, even free-range conditions, differ from those experienced by free-ranging populations in Iceland. Over time, even with prevention of crossing with other other breeds, the "Icelandic" population of the U.S. is going to become something that is easily distinguishable. A larger U.S. population can help slow this process down but also continued imports for the source population would also slow changes. Is this being considered?
 
Lynn, I'm sure you are a wonderful person and you clearly are open and upfront with no ill intent, and no offense is meant here. Our goals in life can be very different and we can still be great friends. I'm glad you are here and I think that reading more about these unique Icelandics will help a lot. You are living the good life raising all that food for your children and keeping self sufficient, it was people like you that kept these Icelandics going for 1100 years.

Sincerely,
Andy in Fredericksburg
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