Icelandic Chickens

[Sporteltx]

I like flotti! That will work perfect. So for incubating, it varies up and down about .5 degrees. Is that ok? I can't imagine a bird sitting on eggs can keep the eggs right on 99.5 all the time, especially in a cooler climate like Iceland.

 

[NotAFarm]

I agree that the temps under broody hens must vary depending on whether an egg is directly under her or at "the edge" of the nest. Some of my broody hens/pullets will leave the nest for periods of time and the temperature during that time is most definitely not "steady". What kind of incubator do you use?

 

[Sporteltx]

I just bought a little giant with fan and egg turner. I have a digital thermometer and hygrometer. What do you use? This is my first time trying to hatch eggs. Its only been 2 days and I am paranoid the temp will drop or spike.

 

[NotAFarm]

Keeping the smaller incubators in a place/room that has a stable temperature will help keep them from fluctuating too much. If you can keep the room humidity right (humidifier or de-humidifier depending on your climate/season), it is easy to keep the incubator humidity right. I had an old Farm Master cabinet incubator but didn't make use of it so got rid of it. I now have a still air LG and use it to start eggs but prefer to let the hens hatch and raise them. I can count on my Icelandics and one SLW to go broody (and last summer a New Hampshire hen) and I collect eggs and watch for some one showing signs of going broody. I set the eggs in the incubator and make sure the hen is serious (I give her the number of golf balls that I have eggs I want her to hatch). If she is, I move her to a separate broody coop and see if she stays on the "eggs". If so, she gets the real ones I started in the incubator. It seems that broodiness is "catching" around here so once one starts, others will follow. I just hope that they don't start before the end of March......

 

[NotAFarm]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/601352/little-giant-incubator-tricks

This is a thread that is long, but you may find it helpful.

 

[mlm Mike]

Nice photos, Sportelx.

 

[sherrya]

I was gifted a couple of years ago with a pair of Icelandic chickens from Andy White. Since then I have lost the original pair to a Bobcat and dogs. I did get two hens out of the hatch, but with no rooster to pair them with, Last summer I acquired a rooster from a lady in Hamilton Texas, hatched some eggs and now I have eight total.

Here is a rooster from my hatch.

 

[mlm Mike]

He's a handsome boy, Sherrya.

 

[NotAFarm]

Wow, looks like Icelandics are becoming popular in Texas! Good job getting them out there Andy!!

sherrya, He is very handsome! I love that beetle green sheen!

 

[coldupnorth]

sherry - What a gorgeous rooster. I bet you will get some great offspring from him!