Icelandic Chickens

[Jake Levi]

Mahonri

been thinking of your situation, I would cut the hens down to about 20, and keep them, and myself I'd be looking for a place with lots better neighbors.

NO WAY I'd let them tell me what I could do !

Life is good, and better with Icelandic Chickens, and Pack Goats !

 

[Jake Levi]

A thought that has come several times and keeps coming back: Mary which of your roos do you think have had the most influence on your production?

And, which of your roos sired my Blau? He is right now the premier roo I have, Isi is close behind but Blau has it all in one package, beauty, presence, and he fills the bill as flockmaster. When he calls food is served they come running ! When he says 'alert' they freeze in step. There is a huge survival value in this. In 3 weeks they will get to apply this on the edge of Washington forest environment.

I have been thinking a lot lately on how to track lines. But to do that we need to know the origins of our birds. I can almost hardly wait til spring 2012. So many possibilities !!!!

And so much we really need to learn about our genetic lines.

We need to be making a data base, and collecting information. They are beautiful and fascinating, but so much more. Of my 3 primary roos, Blau, Isison, and Bjorn I have chosen them for particular traits, others show much of the same, but, in lesser amounts. Of course Isison gets a nod from Luka and Isi, two proven parents.

I will be tracking egg production, the Countess is doing excellently, 5 or more eggs per week ! I have also started selecting for a bit of size, Bjorn is the largest of his hatch, and I have retained the two largest pullets of two hatches. Not survival traits per se but of economic value. Which in domestic chickens is certainly a survival trait. As a homestead chicken growth and egg production are very important !

Life is good, and better with Icelandic Chickens and Pack Goats. !

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Mahonri, so sorry to hear about your troubles

that just stinks.

 

[kathyinmo]

Hi ya losers!

I've been working this lovely holiday weekend. Ahhhh, but I am home now! Gotta get caught up but wanted to check in.

I can't find my darn camera. My aunts were here to visit (aged 75 and 80), and I am thinking maybe one of them accidentally packed my camera.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Kathy, you know we miss you when you are working those long hours, don't you?

 

[Jake Levi]

and we miss you working the short hours too ,

fall is rushing in, 42 here this morn Feels it too. Spring is coming !!

In previous posts, when I mentioned 'lines' I am referring to our own flocks. Certainly most of ours come from Marys lines, with a little input from Lyl. But it is inevitable that we will all have our own lines as we stay with them from year to year.

Life is good, and better with Icelandic Chickens and Pack Goats !

 

[The Sheriff]

My last broody has eggs hatching today!

Two are out and at least 2 more are pipped. One I couldn't tell. I am going to be moving them tonight. She is down in the barn coop and that didn't work out well with Lukka's last hatch. Up near the house in the covered layer coop is a much safer place. I am so glad this poor girl finally got some babies. She had been broody in the floor for several days before she moved into the nest box with real eggs. Plus, I am so hoping this is the end of broody fever at the Buck 'N Run Ranch, at least until Spring! I have six with babies right now!

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Wow Jake it was warmer at your place than here. We had 36 degrees here.

Congrats on the babies Mary.

 

[Jake Levi]

Cusick, Wa is warmer this week then here, I talked to several local folks this morn and they reported frosts, and 36 at other places. Tis the season it would seem.

Mary broody raised chicks are the best !! Mama teaches them, but I do see Blau doing a LOT of coaching to the younger guys.

Life is good, and better with Icelandic Chickens and Pack Goats !

 

[Happy Chooks]

Mary has had 7 broodies this year Jake - she wants a break. Not that she's gonna get it. She bought a frizzle cochin back in February-ish that hasn't laid yet. I joked with her today that she'll probably go broody before she even lays an egg.

Then I'm sure Lukka will want to be a mom again before winter.

We're in the 90's still here, but it's cooling down decently at night. By the end of the week, we're supposed to get into the high 80's. That will be nice.