Icelandic Chickens

[arconfederate]

Good afternoon all. It's been a while since I've posted. I have an Icelandic rooster that decided he wanted to scare my wife. He ran at her but didn't hurt her. She is scared now to go outside and that's not good. I have to get rid of the rooster, one way or another. He was hatched Easter week from an egg that supposedly came from pure stock but I don't know for certain. He appears to be pure and is a handsome young lad. Is anyone interested in taking him? Thanks.

 

[yochickiemomma]

Sorry to hear about your bad luck Arcon. I don't know anyone close enough to you. My ex sister inlaw lives somewhere near New Iberia but thats quite the drive. Maybe try posting him on CL.

 

[arconfederate]

Thanks. I may have a solution other than the stew pot. I might trade him for a pair of pigeons

 

[Harborotter]

Anybody on here have any from Black Walnut Farm? I just hatched out 4 chicks, hopefully 1 more which is still trying to hatch. I am getting eggs from Whippoorwill and I want to ensure my flock is pure as I am completely new to this breed of chicken.

Thanks!

 

[snhchick]

Just lost one of my Icies to a hawk today. Think it was Roadie, who was always a bit off on her own. I feel terrible that I left them out with snow on the ground. They mostly stayed in the coop/pen, but it warmed up today and they headed for the barn. My husband spotted the hawk in front of the barn, feeding. I saved Sid, the rooster, who was freaking out inside the barn. He didn't even try to run away when I grabbed him. I thought all 3 hens might be gone, Stupid hawk was staring at me as I brought Sid down. I went back up and called, and the other two hens came out of the woods. When I lost one of my Silkies to a fox, I though that was bad, but it was nothing like seeing the feathers being picked up by the wind, and the foot and such left behind by the hawk. They have chicken wire over the pen, and they won't free range again until spring, at least. Are they safe with the chicken wire over them?

 

[Icies]

I am so sorry! That is horrible that you witnessed it but glad you were able to save the others. :'(

It is interesting that you mention the snow. The article that I read about icelandics on mother earth news shows a pic of them walking through the snow. We are snow covered for the first time here in MD and I almost let them out but was wondering if it would make them "stand out" more to a hawk. But on the other hand, how could a hawk not hear the constant (& yes I said constant) crowing from a rooster & not know just as easily where they are?? That has always baffled me how such a prey animal is ALWAYS "announcing" their presence.

 

[nikkers390]

Anybody on here have any from Black Walnut Farm? I just hatched out 4 chicks, hopefully 1 more which is still trying to hatch. I am getting eggs from Whippoorwill and I want to ensure my flock is pure as I am completely new to this breed of chicken.

Thanks!

Mine are getting shipped from Black Walnut Farm today. I'm anxious To see what hatches. I have never had Iceland chickens before.

 

[NotAFarm]

Quote: Be sure to post pictures! I miss seeing chicks!

 

[NotAFarm]

Quote: Any pictures of those chicks yet?!

 

[Icies]

I have a frostbite question. We had a week of temps back in December where the highs were in the 20s and nights w wind chills in the teens and single digits. I was concerned about frostbite and read lots and lots about drafts vs ventilation, etc, etc. All of my hens have been fine. The very tips of the roosters comb were a little frostbitten but he does have a huge single comb. I know that's not the best comb for this area but that's the one I like the look of best. So, basically overall I thought it was going ok. We have had a strange winter. On Tuesday it was 70 degrees and on Thursday we had about an inch of wet snow & temps in the 20s again w 45 mph wind gusts. According to my phone, the feels like temp was 9 last night which is right around what the weather was like in December. I have done nothing different between now & then but this morning I go out & he is severely frostbitten. I don't know if the hens were pecking him or not but he was covered in blood. I picked him up which shows just how bad he was feeling because on a regular day he would never let me do that. I separated him from the others & he is in the barn. Does anyone have an opinion about why the difference? Could the dramatic swings in temps have done it? There is still snow in the ground but not in the run could the added moisture from the snow be the difference? Yesterday during the day the snow was so wet it was clinging to the hardware cloth in the run. I feel terrible and want to try to prevent this from happening again if I can. Thanks in advance for sharing any thoughts.