Icelandic Chickens

[Happy Chooks]

Mary has broodies that can hold eggs in spite of a roll away nest box. Now THAT'S impressive!

 

[LarryPQ]

Quote:
Bad broodies. Get up, move around, allow other hens to get in the nests.

So I try to move them to secure locals, at night when they are all zombified. So far, only one move this year has been successful. They don't like the quarantine pen, but I am going to try again tonight.

MOST of the broodies are nesting in the top portion of this:

I have milk crates side-by-side in there, with the ends cut out. THey like that enclosed space, but it is not safe for chicks, and I can't fence them in (or the other hens out).

I took a pic a few minutes ago of HissyFit---I will post it once the kids go down.

 

[dldolan]

Mary, remember when you told me that the roos have to earn their place? Well, I think my gorgeous guy (the one of the three from Cheryl that I kept...) is going to have to go. He is a perfect shister. Yanked out my lead RIR hen's breast feathers, grabs whatever hen walks by him to twist her ear, screams at me if I pick up any of the hens, has all the hens ticked at him all the time... He is a beauty, so if anyone can come get him, he's yours. 13 weeks old. (My Splash Marans roo is 15 weeks and a perfectly nice dude all around, so he stays.)

Himself at 10 weeks

Today at 13 weeks

 

[Jake Levi]

Laree is that propane tank a visible threat ala bar bque??

The heavy wire dog kennels work great for broodies, room for a feeder and waterer, and a nest box, most have tops that swing up to insert a milk crate. I had 3 of them for the RIRs.

I still have two for future use of the Icelandics. I picked mine up at yard sales and auctions. I think I will get more just in case.

 

[LarryPQ]

Nah, when I want to threaten, I just roll the grill over with a mirror on it...


Quick question on hatching Icelandics: Do they have big aircells normally? I have some that seem to have REALLY large aircells.
I am concerned that with our SUPER dry weather lately, they will be shrink-wrapped already. I think Mary's eggs are due the 24th, but I don't know if I can keep humidity up without drowning everything else in there. Thoughts?

I can always put them all in the reptipro--I can keep humidity at 80% in there without a problem. BUT if the big air cells are normal, then I wont worry about it.

 

[NotAFarm]

My eggs from Mary are here!!! 12 beautiful, unbroken white Icelandic eggs!!

Thanks Mary!!

 

[Asgard Farms]

Quote:
How do you like your Reptipro? They seem to be very fairly priced.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
I've only hatched a few Icelandic eggs, but they are tough buggers, so I'm betting they'll be fine.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
Sorry he's not being a nice boy.

 

[The Sheriff]

Quote:
I have had huge aircells and they still hatched ok. I keep my humidity at 65% for hatching in the Brinsea Advance and have no idea what it is in the ECO. I just put some water in the trays.