Icelandic Chickens

[NotAFarm]

The Easter Hatchalong Icelandics are six weeks old and Heppni has weaned them. They were up in the rafters with the rest of the flock last night at lock-up.
Here they are "escaping the coop" yesterday.

 

[mlm Mike]

Looks like you got some variety. I can't believe they are already 6 weeks.

 

[KaldakurFarm]

@KaldakurFarm Mottled is what I call it.
Mottled, according to the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection glossary, is defined as "Plumage in which a variable percentage of feather are tipped with white"....."mottled differs mainly from spangling in that markings are always white and found only in a variable percentage of the feather, whereas in spangling the marking may be either black or white and are located on the tip of each feather."
Mille fleur is spangled. "Spangle-a distinct marking of contrasting color at the extremity of a feather, proximally shaped like a well defined V with rounded end. Always is black in color and found in combination with silver or gold ground color, as in Hamburgs, or white in color and separated from bay or brown ground color by a black bar as in Sussex."
Mille Fleur Booted Bantams: "Breast: Golden bay, each feather tipped with a V-shaped white spangle, a crescent-shaped bar of black dividing white spangle from balance of feather"
There is a photo showing the mille fleur feathers in the book but it is copyrighted so I will not post that. The SOP is well worth the price for all the information it has. I got a second hand 2001 copy for under

Thanks so much, I will see if I can find that book.

 

[mlm Mike]

I guess I did have a broody that could have taken my Cinco de Mayo chicks. Our barred rock appeared with 4 chicks today.

ETA: I did have a 10th Icelandic chick hatch.

 

[NotAFarm]

Sad news here....I lost Elska.

Went out this afternoon, after being gone all morning, around 3:00 to give the chickens a treat and no one was outside. I had left the newly weaned chicks locked inside the broody coop since it was raining this morning. It was quiet in the coop but it looked like the flock was all in the rafters. Unusual since it had rained in the morning and had stopped and was nice out. Three hens and Audun were not among them. I had canned corn but no one would come down for it. I went out and looked all around but did not see them and thought it strange that all the others were in the barn, in the rafters, and only those four outside. I started to walk around looking for them. My DH saw me out the window and came out and started around the other side of the property. I was calling Audun and then I heard him. The sound was coming from near our compost pile. It was his "disturbed" call. If you have had cocks for any time you know the call. When they are in the coop and things are quiet and you walk in. I walked that way and called again. He came out from some tall, thick nettle that grows on one side, looking side to side, making the "disturbed" call. Then Hvit and Fina came out. No Elska. Audun was hesitant to leave the pile and the hens stayed close to his side. My DH and I "herded" them towards the coop with Audun constantly looking and using his "disturbed" call. When I had them back to the coop, the other hens then came down for the corn I put out. I went back over to look around the compost pile to see if Elska was there. In the garden about 50 feet from the pile, I found her dead with feathers, hers and Auduns, on the ground. I didn't see wounds or blood and she was wet. Whatever happened, the killer wasn't after blood. Our neighbors have a St. Bernard that has come over to our yard before so I wonder if he smashed her and mouthed her. They had company today so he may have been over here and they never knew, I don't know....all speculation on my part. I'd like to think they would say something if they knew. The flock will be inside when I'm not home until I know more. She can't be replaced but I hope at least one of the eggs under Anna, Asta or Hola are hers. Rest in Peace beautiful girl.

 

[drumstick diva]

Oh so very sorry, you know Elska was my favorite, I used to look forward to Elska's photo of the week back in the olden days. Another sad day for Icelandics, first Lukka, now Elska

 

[coldupnorth]

Oh no Mary! I am so sorry about Elska - she was such a good mommy and ambassador for the "Viking" chicken race. I'm sure Audun was very brave!

 

[kathleens1979]

Oh, I'm so sorry, Mary!!! That's so sad! I'm sorry. It really is so hard to lose them. They are so much more than farm animals. Hugs to you!

 

[mlm Mike]

I'm so sorry Mary.

 

[NotAFarm]

Thank you, everyone, for your comments. She was special.

As a one year old strutting her stuff:


Last summer, as a three year old, being a great momma: