Icelandic Chickens

[greatergraceoffbg]

To Mary and the group,

Mary, yes I did ask you to correct me if I was wrong, so thank you. This information is great, in reviewing our previous emails, this was not explained like this at all. My belief in what I had came directly from emails from you, thus my willingness to post it.

The ONLY thing that makes these birds unique is their genetics, and understanding their genetics doesn't take away from simply enjoying them as birds. The lines which you described so well are not imaginary, they are as real as any family tree, and ultimately tell a story.

You have no reason to "defend" your birds. If you don't share my interests in the genetic research it is fine, but there is simply no reason to be offended by my interest. For those who feel that where the birds come from and what is in their genetics is unimportant, that is certainly your right, but it doesn't mean those such as myself who are interested in such should be silent or intimidated to talk about their interest.

In respect to the continued referral to the white egg/brown egg issue for example, that is pure genetics and tells a story. The man who owns these is not a criminal, but has been pretty well shunned in this thread. I am a person who believes in being inclusive so I have some of his eggs. This is why I separate into "lines" and keep a record of all communication concerning the birds I receive, and all breeding there after.

I am not heading into some illegal territory by deciding to keep separate lines, and the insinuation that because I have accepted eggs from a man with brown egg layers or that because I keep lines separated and discuss this, that I am responsible for others unhappiness and decision to leave the thread is placing responsibility in the wrong place.

There is a double standard being played out here, and it is simply unnecessary.
I too respect Mary's decisions, and it certainly would be a loss to everyone, however It is 100 per cent Mary's decision whatever she does.

I have no desire to "rule the roost" only to share the fun of these Icelandic chickens and that is my choice and what I will continue to do regardless of anyone else's decisions.

With respect to all,
Andy in Fredericksburg

 

[greatergraceoffbg]

For the record, the post about my comment below was a misinterpretation,

Andy's comment "a real effort at preservation was made" implies that the RALA chickens are inferior to the Flatey chickens genetically because of potential crossbreeding. I believe this really diminishes the enormous work and dedication put into preserving the Icelandic chickens in Iceland for the last 37 years. An "effort" like this would not be done in this country to save anything.


My intent is to credit those who made "a real effort at preservation" and there is no comment nor implication of inferiority regarding any lines in my comment. And I am very appreciative of those folks over generations that have valued their culture and heritage in Iceland and it is one of the big draws for me where the Icelandic Chickens are concerned.

Andy in Fredericksburg

 

[PepsNick]

Very sorry Mary. I know that you love these beautiful birds, and that is all that matters.

 

[Jake Levi]

Andy there was NO insinuations at all in Marys post,

a reminder to you Sir, this is HER thread, not yours, so dont take it on to yourself to pontificate, not to her.

She is the author of the thread, if you differ from her, take it elsewhere, start your own thread, but dont presume to correct her, she knows what she wrote, and its her thread, its not your place to correct her, in any way on her thread.

At least not until you have done as much for the breed as she has. Which I cant see happening for a very long time, if ever.

Your whole several posts were pompous, and out of line, if you want to be the 'ultimate authority' then start your own thread, dont try to take over Marys'.

If you differ with her either keep it to yourself, or express it as 'we dont agree' and let it go there.

I bit my tongue yesterday about posting this, but the whole thing is just too wrong not to speak up. I reread the entire posting several times and came to the same conclusion each time, you were/are way out of line with the author of this thread.

 

[ReiMiraa]

I think anything Icelandic is special in that when you think about it they are the most purebreed mutts in the world.
I know alot about the horse breed and the dog, less about the sheep and learning alot about the chicken.
I think for the many hundreds of years of being on the island the more useful animals were at first selected by nature. then there became the local standard. Now there is a standard on how the dog, the sheep, and the horse. The horse is judged in many ways for their standard. does it do the special gaits right? good personality? correct height? the horse comes in any color.
the dog and the sheep were the next useful critters and they too have a standard.
The chicken was just kicked off the boat and left to survive and be selected by nature. I think chickens carry more genetic diversity than other animals. because the horse, the sheep and the dog do not vary in looks as much as the chicken does.
I think every little town selected for what they liked to see in their "ideal" chicken.
But there was never a need or interest to refine or standardize the birds.
So after many hundred years there is still much genetic diversity in the breed.
This is probably why they can go from nearly 300 birds left to over 3,000 without inbreeding issues because technically it is already inbred from hundreds of years isolated on the island.

I think what others were asking was if the farmers or towns in iceland had a preferred type or something. Guidance on what to breed for, what to cull for. I know these are purebreed mutts but I feel there is no real direction for the chickens compared to the dog, sheep, and horse.

I am going to be hatching some soon and i realize there is no reason to cull for color or comb. I plan to let nature cull for me, they have to outsmart the hawk and coyotes and coons. Then free range to their hearts content.
I think the question is, is that should the chickens be allowed to breed and breed within their own 'breed' with no guidance or concern for anything particular. (ex. horse has to have the 2 special gaits otherwise it was not used in breeding)

Other threads do talk about standard for type and showing of breeds (like the Brahma) but i also realize this breed will most likely never be allowed to show unless it was specifically a show for icelandic chickens (they have shows specifically for the icelandic horse, dog and sheep) because normal judges have no idea what they are looking at or for.

So just let the rooster and hens loose and let them propagate on their own and be amused by what hatches?

 

[Jake Levi]

Hi Rei

That is somewhat simplified of my plans, I will cull hens that dont lay, Roos that dont breed, obvious genetic defects, and select the strongest of both sexes to breed on, no selection for comb, color pattern, or feather type. People aggression wont be tolerated after a point, a little goes a long ways.

I probably will look to save as breeders fast growers and early maturers, good flock members, and protectiveness in Roos and broodiness in Hens, all needed survival traits.

I will be watching for Hens and Roos of a particular color just because I like them, but they will be colors among many.

I do expect to keep at least 3-4 Roos, to keep as much diversity as I can, each different. I will give the ones with Single Combs a chance, I am skeptical because of our winters, but, if they make it great, they stay. If not, not. Otherwise all combs are welcome. If the Single Combs are at a disadvantage then I wont select Roos with them as breeders. I will know much better this time next year.

In the FWIW department, I am moving, about 20 miles from here, rural, next to last house on the paved road, beyond that is state and federal forest, we will have foxes, coyotes, raccoons, hawks and Bald Eagles aplenty, and occasional black bears, the area is dubbed "Black Bear Capital of MI" , I do believe in SSS, but will only range during the days, and plan a fenced in run with a covering. As far as I know the Icelandics will be the only chickens within severlal miles.

I'll be in the new place by June first, will be working on the chicken house-to-be in a couple of weeks, it has a new roof, but no floor and will be putting ply around the inside, and a couple of windows and lights. Its about 12' X 14'.


I see the Icelandic as a successful Homestead Chicken that has evolved into a hardy and versatile breed, and I will personally look at the traits towards that as any selection I do, fine points need not be. Not for me, they all have a beauty of their own.

 

[greatergraceoffbg]

Rei,

I love this line, nothing could be truer "they are the most purebreed mutts in the world" and that IS the beauty of them! Their genetics are scrambled in such a way as to make it most difficult to unscramble them.

Andy in Fredericksburg

 

[phasianidae]

Quote:
It sounds like you have a good plan, I will look forward to updates and pictures.

 

[Jake Levi]

Me too !!!

The first egg set goes into lockdown on friday, and the 2nd one next fri and the last a week after, I am just hoping and praying for at least a 50% hatch, the weather was pretty cool here when these 3 sets were mailed. But the incubator has been holding dead on and the hatcher is ready. Humidity at 60%. I might lower it a couple points.

I have a new Nikon so am hoping to get a lot of pics from pipping on, but still have to figure out how to post them here, once that happens look out !

The show begins ! I hope.

I am surprised at some of these eggs, even the pullet ones, the light just doesnt get through the shell, they are thick shelled suckers, most of them I get a pretty pink glow, bit 4-5 are as opaque as night. Anyhow, I am hoping that this time next week will have chicks in the brooder and waiting for more, anything more then 7 pullets and 3-4 roos is a flock for sure. I have requests from a 4 H'er for a pair which will probably happen, she and her brother have done a good job the last couple years.

I've been surfing for some more links on the Icelandics but keep finding the same information recycled under new headings, still looking. I would love it if someone could persuade Lyle and Sigrid to participate here.

So, if y'all hear a loud rebel yell on sunday from the northwoods its probably me. Got pipping if so !

Jake

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Good luck with your hatch Jake