Icelandic Chickens

[The Sheriff]

They did not dive down at the chickens that we know of. We were sitting right there in the yard with the animals too. Isi gave the warning call to the others. I will definitely count heads tonight!

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
Well, you know .... those are smart chickens! I am thinking those hawks won't have any chicken dinner there. I think they prefer Silkies.

 

[centrarchid]

Happy Chooks,

Thank you very much. Nice to see ample genetic variation exists within the population. I wish the our U.S. heritage breeds could be propogated in manner similar to that used for Icelandics. Actually enables conservation of genetic diversity.

Hawks shown by Mary a few post back appears to be a pair of red-shouldered hawks. Were they mating? My red-shouldered hawks (hunting territory includes my pasture) have not been a threat to my chickens. Red-tailed though have. Cool thing with red-shoulders is they nest next to common crows and will form a coalition with them to drive off red-tailed hawks and great horned owls, both of which are nest predators on crows and red-shouldered hawks.

Centrarchid

 

[Mahonri]

I had a hawk sitting 3 feet away from the open opening of my brooder box with 36 NYD hatch chicks inside. I so wish I would have know he was there I would have gone out with a pellet gun... I was amazed at the wing span on that thing when he flew away. Amazing.

Hey Kathy... you haven't checked in to the BYC Easter Hatch yet......

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
Dang blizzard has kept me very busy! I'm in!

 

[greatergraceoffbg]

The Icelandics are really living up to their name. I have nine outside just kickin it, eatin whatever is out in the yard all day today, roosting high up in a tree now with every comb type possible and NONE are frostbitten... is there antifreeze in those combs?

Andy

 

[kathyinmo]

I have to get some new pictures. I was out in looking in the older brooder today, and WOW are they growing and looking beautiful! I will try to get pictures tomorrow, when I get done shoveling snow.....

 

[Camelot Farms]

Fertility...

Well I candled the first 7 eggs that I popped in on the 1/26 and only one was developing. 1 had started and died and the other 5 were duds.
I candled the 5 that I put in on the 28th and I think I have 2 developing for sure.

Hmmmm..... Fyrri better get busy or out he goes and Jokul will have to take over.

 

[rsf31tmp]

I shoud have a barnyard mix in my bator (with a few great pure bred birds) then I want to do some Icelandics....need to see if the neighbor can get me some eggs. Is fertility a problem with these birds always or just in the winter? I don't know just asking.

Here in Illinois, it might be colder today than it ever gets in Iceland? My birds sem fine?

 

[Happy Chooks]

Mary.....glad all is well with your chickens.

Kathy......You're getting paybacks for all your "Beautiful 60 degree weather here today" all through the NYD hatch.