Icelandic Chickens

[KaldakurFarm]

So sorry about Elska, she was a very pretty gal. Her name fit her well <3. Crossing fingers for a replacement under your broody hen.

 

[KaldakurFarm]

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.

Congrats on that 10th chick!

Mine are due to hatch tomorrow. I'm not sure who is most excited in my house. My 5yr old who woke up and told me not to forget that tomorrow was"chick" day, or my husband who has become obsessed with checking the temp and humidity of the bator. Hoping all goes well, there are 25 Icelandics that made it to day 18 and 5 Dark Cornish eating birds.

 

[The Sheriff]

Mary I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Elska. She was absolutely beautiful and a legend like Lukka. One would think that losing a chicken friend would get easier, but it doesn't. Maybe we just love too much or they just worm their way into our hearts. I am glad that you have eggs hatching and look forward to the hatch report. Please accept my heartfelt condolences on your loss. Kudos to Audun for being a brave flock protector.

 

[Happy Chooks]

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.

I'm so sorry Mary. Elska was beautiful and had a great life with you.

 

[NotAFarm]

Thank you again for all your kind comments.

 

[KaldakurFarm]

My first egg just hatched! My daughter went over and started talking to the eggs/whistling at them after we saw 2 pips, and within 10 minutes 6 more had pipped. The first one hatched about a half hour later. I think I'll have a couple more by morning. One down, 24 Icelandics to go! I'm on day 20 so I'm surprised they are hatching already. I can see why people enjoy hatching so much.

 

[NotAFarm]

Congrats on the chick!

My Icelandics rarely wait until day 21 to hatch....they are in a hurry to get out going!!

 

[drumstick diva]

Kaldakur Farm sounds like your daughter the egg whistler, has quite a talent.

 

[mlm Mike]

My first egg just hatched! My daughter went over and started talking to the eggs/whistling at them after we saw 2 pips, and within 10 minutes 6 more had pipped. The first one hatched about a half hour later. I think I'll have a couple more by morning. One down, 24 Icelandics to go! I'm on day 20 so I'm surprised they are hatching already. I can see why people enjoy hatching so much.

Congratulations! Looking forward to some pictures.

 

[KaldakurFarm]

Thanks all, I appreciate the cheerleading. Everyone is so nice here!

I woke up to 5 chicks, I got a blue one I think, it's the same grey/yellow that mlmddh has - YAY!!! One is yellow and the other 3 are chipmunk colored. There are a couple more working to get out now. I don't think any are crested, still hopeful about that though!

LOL, my daughter the "chicken whistler" - Love it!!! I'll tell her that when she gets home from school. Talk about one excited kid this morning, she couldn't hardly sit and eat her breakfast.

I'll get pics when they fluff up. They are so tiny and cute!