Icelandic Chickens

[Chicken Coach]

Don't know why i can't get the pic bigger?

 

[Mahonri]

Two folks that I gave eggs to for test hatches are reporting life in some of my Icelandic eggs.

Vindur is doing his job!!

(Now I have to have the breed preservation talk with them, or talk them into giving them up....)

 

[Happy Chooks]

Mary, the new additions are beautiful. Love the evil grin of MC Hammer too. When are those turkeys showing up?

Hillbilly hen.........wow, at first look I thought it took out the house - but then I realized it was your arch (pergola, whatever they are called) I know how much work that is to clean up. This winter we lost a 200 ft tall pine tree - it uprooted and fell over. If it had been just a foot taller, it would have taken out our fence. We were just happy no one got hurt. We got all the slash burned and it's cut into rounds for firewood this winter. Pine's not the best to burn, but it's free.

Mahonri.....congrats on your fertility!

 

[Jake Levi]

G'day all,

no, I cant make it to Chickenstock, and really wanted to, was going to take 4-5 of the youngsters just to show folks. The sun is shining though and will try to get some pics taken today, it needs to be.

I tried to open the pic of the one Coach and Mary put link on but it doesnt open.

I love the pic of the goats in file, pity they arnt a bit bigger and faint, would make a beautiful pack string.

Hoping Chickenstock goes great, will miss not being there. Meeting folks and learning what I can.

Enjoy, sun is shining, a beautiful June day here and going to be enjoying the outdoors.

Wish the same for you all.

 

[tazcat70]

I have a question that I wanted your opinion on.

I have EE's. At some point I hope to be lucky enough to get some Icelandics.

Here is the question. I love the wonderful diversity of colors, would you allow/want/be disgusted if I wanted to use a cull Icelandic in my EE flock? I would not divulge the lineage or anything....

Thoughts....ideas.....questions.

The main reason I am asking is because I have mixed feelings about it. I am almost afraid that by doing it, it would somehow be a short step to changing them.

 

[thebirdguy]

I moved the older 6 icelandics with their buddies outside this past Monday to the grow out pen.. They have absolutely loved it!! They sure seem to have more personality than a lot of the others.. Can't wait till they are older and out on the farm.. The 8 youngest ones are in the Nella brooder and get friendlier everyday.. They have decided that clover is their favorite thing in the world.. What a riot!!

I have another lady who's wanting to get some Icelandics.. Everyone I tell about them is interested.. At this rate, I'll have a long waiting list by next spring when I start hatching again!! (Mary, you better send me that list of questions so I make sure they all pass before I give them any.... )

We have had 3 absolutely gorgeous days in a row... high 70s, blue sky and just a bit of a breeze.. I got the pheasants moved out to the farm yesterday and am putting the final touches on a gravity fed cup watering system for the pens out there.. Should have it installed and running later today once the joints are dry..

Hope you all are having a fabulous day!!

 

[Happy Chooks]

I had to think a while on this one.

I don't think there really are any Icelandic culls.

I suppose you could cull for specific traits you want in the flock, such as for winter hardiness, but they don't really require culling.

While I'm sure there will be people crossing them, once they are crossed with other breeds, they lose what makes them so unique. Add to that how endangered they are and being like 78% different (don't remember the exact percentage) than modern chickens today - I think it would be a huge disservice to the breed to cross them. In my opinion, any breed that is critically endangered shouldn't be crossed - it's not worth losing the breed completely. Just my thoughts.

I have 2 Icelandic pullets, but I will never hatch their eggs. I got them primarily for broodies for my other eggs. I do love them, they are very intelligent, curious and have neat personalities.

 

[tazcat70]

I know, tough huh. I was thinking more along the lines of an excess roo. But the more I think on it I really think I am gonna avoid the whole thing. I do not want that type of weight on my conscience. So I will just continue with my EEs as they are.

ETA: After reading what I wrote I thought I had better clarify I haven't given up on Icelandics, just the EE part.

 

[NotAFarm]

Kelly, Here's the Kella picture for this week:

One of Kinnamon and Kella:

One of Kleo(patra):

One of Brynja's fan-like crest:

AND.......................one of Bjorn(Bear)'s legs for Jake!!

 

[Happy Chooks]

They are all gorgeous Other Mary! I want a Kella too. I love Brynja's lacing on her crest too!

My girls Luna and Briet have started squatting!

It is throwing me off though because they are still so small. My 14 week old barnevelder pullets are bigger than they are.