Icelandic Chickens

[AK Michelle]

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Houston, I think she has a problem.




















Um, where are the pics?

 

[AK Michelle]

Question for the free rangers: Do the Icelandics keep their eggs in the nest boxes or do they play hide and go seek with them out in the field.

Last summer my chickens had the run of the yard all day every day. They had a fenced run but almost never stayed inside. Yes, I know, I could have made it more secure and contained them. But I didn't want to. They were happier cruising around the yard and I enjoyed watching them do it, my fencing skills are not the point. The point is... I found a pile of eggs (37 I think was the final tally) hidden in the tall grass behind the shed. They were assorted sizes and colors so this nest was a group effort. I have no idea what the time span was or how many were involved. Yes I noticed a drop in production and yes I could have looked around and probably would have found them, but again, they were happy and I had enough eggs so it wasn't high on my priority list.

But, the experience makes me wonder how the Icelandics are, they like freedom, does that mean they will endeavor to lay where they choose or do they return to the boxes to lay where they are "supposed" to?

 

[The Sheriff]

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I haven't had mine free ranging long enough to know. Only five or six are laying and they use the nest boxes. The rock dwellers and tree dwellers may pose a challenge when the time comes. They are all cooped up at night and don't get out till after 8 a.m. so many times they lay early before going out. I guess we'll all find out together.

 

[Happy Chooks]

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I was hoping you would like her! I have been panicked that she and Marianne were roos too after the Mrs. Howell fiasco. The egg today sealed the deal! I showed it to Michael who asked if I would make him an egg-in-a-hole with it! Men!

Wellies are really easy to sex.

 

[Happy Chooks]

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And now, we have another contender trying to outdo Kathy!

Congrats on the babies, but we MUST see pictures.

 

[Camelot Farms]

Pics forthcoming.

Von hatched a couple of days ago...the only fertile egg from the 1st group
I have one pipped and one zipping for today.
Then 5 more in 3 days
Then 4 in 2 days and so on.

Just call me the Rebel Hatcher!

LOL

 

[Happy Chooks]

Greetings from the NOT so sunny CA.

Woke up to a bit of snow, and it's coming down hard right now. This happens every year, we get warm weather, the fruit trees blossom, then BAM we get snow.

Looking forward to those pics Camelot!

 

[Camelot Farms]

The adventures of Jokull...

Our free rangers consist of a motley crew of purebreeds...BO, BLRW, SLW, GLW etc
The 4 free ranging roos consisted of Jokull, Jazz (Silkie Mix), 2 BLRW and a nameless little Serama/OEGB

All was peaceful in the world as Jazz kept everyone in their place including the up and coming Jokull.

Until 3 days ago when Jazz gave his life defending the flocks.

Now CHAOS reigns. Jokull has become a challenging little pissant. The lil serama roo has no peace. He used to hang with Jazz and his 3 main gals (BO, LB and SLW). Now he spends his days trying desperately to maintain his lil flock and hiding them in the scrub brush behind the barn. Jokull's gals (3 BLRW) are totally peeved as he is not attending to their every need. So in retribution, they sidle up to the 2 BLRW roos who truly dont have a backbone between them and whenever Jokull comes to round up his errant ladies, the roos run for cover.

The other gals (1 BLRW, 2 EE and 1 Buttercup) who already have shown their preference for the spineless BLRW's are just lost souls for everytime Jokull comes to snag his run aways back, he 'accidentally' rounds them up too and they simply do not understand why their BLRW roos do NOTHING about it. So they simply wait til Jokull goes back to stalking the lil serama roo and then they haul feathers back to the spineless brothers.

The yard is in uproar. Roosters crowing and calling to their hens, feathers blowing in the wind, hens confused and bewildered. PTL that none of these gals is allowed to brood chicks or I would have to open a shelter for abused hens and chicks.

I need chicken enforcement officers!!!

 

[Happy Chooks]

Sounds like you have mutiny! What happened to Jazz? A predator?

So sorry you lost Jazz and have chaos in your flock.

 

[AK Michelle]

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I haven't had mine free ranging long enough to know. Only five or six are laying and they use the nest boxes. The rock dwellers and tree dwellers may pose a challenge when the time comes. They are all cooped up at night and don't get out till after 8 a.m. so many times they lay early before going out. I guess we'll all find out together.

I'll be sure to check back. The new "yard" is a pasture, but they kept it mowed and I could too, which would give my chickens (and predators) less room to hide, but I was going to add some trees and bushes to help give them cover should they feel the need to be out of sight or up out of reach. I'm not a big fan of brush that touches the ground, to me it's too good of a hiding place for fox or feral cats. I'm fairly comfortable that loose dogs can't get in there, although I have to walk it when there isn't any snow so I can really see, I will patch any low spots as needed. The folks that lived here before raised boxers and were concerned with keeping their dogs in so it's good sturdy fencing.

I am getting soooo excited.