Icelandic Chickens

[drumstick diva]

Good to meet you Tyto Alba, You will really enjoy this thread - I guarantee .

 

[TytoAlba]

Good to meet you Tyto Alba, You will really enjoy this thread - I guarantee .

No doubt--I've been reading the thread from the very beginning and I feel like the hatchings are happening as I read!

 

[kathleens1979]

Welcome, Tyto!!!

We need to see pictures of yours!! How many did you end up with?

I ended up with 8- 6 from Lyle and two home growns. No pictures try because it's been a CRAZY couple weeks!!!! We had predator losses like never before...

Harpa just weened her babies, but now my other two Icee ladies have gone broody. I tried to break Haap of her broodiness because she pecked a chick to death that she hatched from an egg I stuck under her from the last hatch and she drowned a partially hatched egg in her water dish. It was pretty traumatic. She must have known they weren't hers, I guess. She has been problematic, and I'm still not sure what to do about her- she's STILL broody. Do you think I should chance any more eggs under her??? I have a few Orp eggs from a friend that are due in about 10 days but I'm not sure if I can trust her. Hetta is doing great on hers! All developing nicely. My Australorp is also broody again, so I guess I'll stick a couple of Orp eggs under her. Soon, I'm not going to have any layers, just sitters!

By the way, Mary, that red and blue combo is gorgeous!!!! Wow!!! Is that a blue wheaten coloration?

Amy, adorable babies!!! Love the lavender and gold!!! It's really pretty and unusual. I have GOT to trade eggs with you at some point when I've actually got eggs to trade.

Diva- we loved Ant Man too! My hubby and I are pretty big nerds. I really want to go to the Chicago version of ComicCon at some point.

Ok- over the past two weeks, we have had some problems. We just lost 6 chickens to predators, including our rooster Hann!!!!

I am sooooo sad!!! None of my Icee hens at least though. He must have been taken trying to protect an EE pullet that disappeared the same day. RIP Hann...

I'm pretty sad about it. He was the best rooster we've had. I'm hoping some of his sons live up to his temperament.

Because of our sudden losses, we chose to get an LGD. His name is Pip. He's only 9 weeks old, so there's a LOT of training ahead...

He's a Great Pyrenees. Both his parents are poultry protectors, so we are hoping we can train Pip to protect our flock in the coming months.

 

[mlm Mike]

Sorry to hear about your losses. Pip is adorable, but I'm certain the predators won't think so.

 

[kathleens1979]

Sorry to hear about your losses. Pip is adorable, but I'm certain the predators won't think so.

Thanks, Mike. It is Mike, right? Are you the one who breeds Icee sheep dogs? Any training advice? I've been reading a LOT on LGD sites, but I'd love to hear it from an actual breeder, although sheep and poultry are a lot different...

 

[mlm Mike]

Yes it's Mike and yes I have bred Icelandic Sheepdogs. It's not so much the difference between sheep and poultry as the purpose of the dog. The LGD has a different function than herding dogs. The LGD has a protective role, while the herding dog has a controlling role. As long as it has the instinct, you should be able to work with it.

 

[NotAFarm]

Kathleen, I'm so sorry to hear you've had problems with predators.....but love your new pup!!
Do you know what has been getting them?
If you need a rose comb cockerel, let me know!

On the broodies.....how many eggs does Hetta have? Could you give one or two to Haap? I'd let her have a second try. Make sure she has a calm place/nest, chick waterer (not open water dish) and try not to bother her at all the last few days. If she fails again, then I wouldn't trust to sit again and would try to break her if she showed any signs. You could hatched her eggs under a hen that you know is reliable.

 

[drumstick diva]

Great Pyrenees are such majestic dogs and grow very fast - boom, they are huge. I think they are supposed to live with the flock to produce the best LGD - I know some folks won't let them in the house because they want their focus on their livestock or chickens etc. For me, I couldn't keep a dog that way, I love them in the house. But, if they have to do a job I guess they have to stay outside.

 

[SaraS23]

Here's a roo that I have to get rid of.

 

[drumstick diva]

Sara no photo