Icelandic Chickens

[Happy Chooks]

Ahhhhh, I have an advantage here. With the move, Lukka won't be laying for a while. (assuming she gets over being broody) So I have a chance of beating her and have my coop done before she starts laying again!

Yeah, I know, I'm a cheater, but I'll take whatever I can get!

 

[Camelot Farms]

I am devastated....we lost Buri last night. He was roosting at the top of the barn when I went to bed last night. This morning, I found a pile of feathers that could be none other than his.

 

[The Sheriff]

Quote:
Oh, no I am so sorry. It is so hard. Was he inside or outside? I clip wings on all mine and they go into the coop every night. My three oldest pullets flew out of the yard yesterday so they are having their wings clipped again tomorrow. I hate to ground them but I have to keep them safe.

I am freaking out with our move, making sure I have a safe place for them even the temporary housing. Looks like we won't be moving as soon as we thought though. The buyers of this house are starting to look flaky. We will probably be putting it back on MLS on Monday and staying till it sells.

Again, I am so sorry about your Buri. He was a beautiful boy.

Mary

 

[kathyinmo]

Oh, no .... I am sorry to hear you lost Buri.

I know things happen. It is still just heartbreaking.

I have not clipped any wings, and these guys are absolutely all over the place. We love it. They are so darn smart, too. They will NOT be cornered. Others can be cornered (as when trying to catch one) .... not these boys! One day soon, I am gonna have to pen all the Icelandics .... I don't know who will hate it more, them or us! They are such a joy to us. We love them!

 

[The Sheriff]

Quote:
I am so happy that you are enjoying the Icelandics. Mine are all over the place here too but on five acres I have to be more careful. It's rural and there are many dogs at large including 2 Jack Russell Terriers from across the road. There are flying predators whose wings cast a shadow like an airplane when they fly over, often in groups of three or more. Many are turkey vultures but there are plenty of red-tailed hawks as well. Don't even get me started on the coyotes. So I am planning a run that will give them plenty of room to roam but hopefully keep them safe while they're out.

Mary

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
I know it is taking a chance by letting my chickens free range. I just can not hardly stand to see them penned up. They love to range and I love it, too. I absolutely love to see them run and fly and chase bugs (and even chase each other), and dust bathe under the trees. I love it when they come running up to greet me, and look for treats. Just so much enjoyment for them and for me. There is someone outside almost all the time here ..... not that that would deter some predators, I know. I would be sick to lose any of my flock, but I do know they are very happy and enjoying life as they are. Yes, I know I am taking a risk. A difficult choice to make.... and I do worry.

 

[The Sheriff]

Maybe I'll feel better about free-ranging them after I live in the country for awhile. I too love watching their activities. Isi moves about the yard all day keeping everyone in line. He is always on alert and always aware of what everyone is doing. His latest trick is watching the broodies when they leave the nest for a quick meal or drink. After a few minutes he gently nudges them back into the coop. Heaven help them if they take and extra couple of minutes for a dustbath! He's a hoot to watch. He wrote the book on how to be a good rooster!

 

[kathyinmo]

Isi sounds like a winner! I love roosters like that! My first experience with a rooster was a Cuckoo Marans. Awww, man, was he sweet! I moved him and his 2 girls into a new coop with the other layers. The girls were frantic, especially one of them. She walked the fence line all day long, day after day, while singing the egg song. I knew she wanted to, "go back home," to lay her egg. The roo went into the new coop each day, and made her nest for her .... he called her in (for what seemed like hours), ever so sweetly. Finally she would go in and lay her egg. I was telling my DH about this, and he didn't believe me. We ended up setting up our lawn chairs and watching (better than live TV!). This went on for a few days, until she finally adjusted and was able to lay her egg on her own. It was just the sweetest thing. Love those good roosters, for sure!

 

[Camelot Farms]

Kathy, I feel the same way. As hard as it was this morning to go out to feed and not have Buri swooping in and out for treats, I wouldnt do it any differently.

I have the three 8week olds penned and they are so different from my other youngsters. They spend their days frantically trying to join the free rangers. They act much more like my game birds than my chickens.

 

[NotAFarm]

Kim, So sorry to hear about Buri. I'm sure he was happiest with his freedom.

Mary, No move? Did the buyers back out or not qualify for financing?

Kelly, Is that coop finished yet?

Here are the pics of Audun I promised. He has won the admiration of Chickie Mama, my SLW incubator. She was sitting on turkey eggs that didn't survive the heat. She is now out and about and because of her the other hens are tolerating him. The first is of them out in the yard enjoying the wonderful weather.

The second caused me a bit of a scare. I had closed their door and was doing other outside chores. I went into the barn and sawing Audun on the perch. I was scared he was dead but thought he couldn't possibly stay on the perch if he was dead so I grabbed the camera (handy because I had just used it) and took a pic. The flash didn't wake him so I thought......OH NO...... maybe he is dead! I went over and called his name and he jerked up and chirped. What a relief! Has any one ever seen a chicken sleep like this? Chickie Mama must be wearn' him out!!

Thanks Mary (and Sigrid) for introducing us to these incredible birds!

Seinna, The Other Mary