Icelandic Chickens

[RedIII]

I'm a little concerned about both of my roosters this winter. One is SC and the other is RC, but both combs are huge. I am seeing some purple in parts of their combs that makes me think that they aren't getting very good circulation. If this is going on during the warmer months, I shudder to think what I'm going to see when it gets cold! I'm hoping that part of the problem lies with them being caged a lot, so they're not out chasing the ladies 24/7 and getting exercise.

 

[karimw]

A friend advised me that putting sugar in their water in the winter will prevent frostbit combs. Not sure if it works, but I may try it this winter.

 

[TessK]

Re: flock dynamics and thinning the boys. Do I *want* to keep the roosters who are instigating the majority of the fighting? It's only recently that they've started to battle among themselves and there is a definite divide of instigators and the ones who run away. Is this a desirable sign of dominance or an undesirable sign of aggression?

 

[Jake Levi]

Tess, that is Dominence, which can get aggressive.

RC versus SC in frostbite has an advantage as the comb is 'shorter' and set closer to the head. A RC can be huge but it has better blood flow through it. That said, I saw the tiny tips burnt, while the SC was bit(dark) halfway down, it recovered, but I have seen some dubbed this way.

I would think that sugar in the water could increase heat and circulation some, dont have an idea of how much, maybe enough to make the difference between frostbit or none.

 

[karimw]

Re: flock dynamics and thinning the boys. Do I *want* to keep the roosters who are instigating the majority of the fighting? It's only recently that they've started to battle among themselves and there is a definite divide of instigators and the ones who run away. Is this a desirable sign of dominance or an undesirable sign of aggression?

For me it's kind of a balance. I freerange mine so I want a rooster that will take care of the hens. Of course I choose the prettiest, but if I like several equally I pick the ones to keep based on how much they exhibit good flock master behavior, i.e calling the ladies to food, wing dancing and of course NEVER showing signs of aggression toward me. Youngsters will always challenge the pecking order and they will outgrow the drive to beat up on each other all the time once they have it established.

My Iowa Blues are much the same and I like to keep the males isolated together if I can. There is a some squabbling but no one gets seriously hurt.There are 16 in this pen right now.

 

[TessK]

I do have one who has occasionally done a little bit of a side-step toward me. It certainly looks like he's considering attacking my ankle but he's always backed off. I'm guessing he's probably gonna have to go see the freezer. Too bad, he's a big, pretty boy.

Can I just say that I really really hate this having to choose who lives and who dies? I know, I'm a terrrible "farmer". Next time, all girls.

 

[debs_flock]

I do have one who has occasionally done a little bit of a side-step toward me. It certainly looks like he's considering attacking my ankle but he's always backed off. I'm guessing he's probably gonna have to go see the freezer. Too bad, he's a big, pretty boy.

Can I just say that I really really hate this having to choose who lives and who dies? I know, I'm a terrrible "farmer". Next time, all girls.

The side step is usually mating behavior. Attacking is usually coming at you hackles raised.

However, that said, if he's trying to "court" you, it means he thinks he is higher than you in the pecking order and he can mate with you. A submissive roo will not try to court a hen that ranks higher than him. You need to put him in his place now so he understands that YOU are the ultimate flockmaster. If he approached me with the side-step and dropped wing, I'd grab a hold of him and pin him to the ground. Not to hurt him, just to show him you rank higher in the flock. If he's not truly aggressive, that is usually enough to establish things with them so they will back off.

If a rooster is headed for temperament problems, they will continually try again. I give them a few chances to settle down and get their hormones under control. If they are still a problem, I LOVE my home raised chicken..........in the oven.

Although it's hard not to laugh when a rooster is courting your ankle!

 

[TessK]

Oh, haha. He's courting me. That's hilarious! I've been told I have chicken legs so maybe....

 

[Myrth]

Pretty tempting, huh?

 

[NotAFarm]

The side step is usually mating behavior.
Although it's hard not to laugh when a rooster is courting your ankle!

Oh, haha. He's courting me. That's hilarious! I've been told I have chicken legs so maybe....

Pretty tempting, huh?