Icelandic Chickens

[Farmerboy16]

I just could not believe that I won! I thought that there were better looking roos, but who knew?

 

[kathyinmo]

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YAY for the Icelandics! Congratulations, Daron!

 

[Okla-doodle-doo]

Sheriff I have a dozen on hand and could easily have half or full dozen more by the middle of week.

Congrats farmerboy,he is a very colorful fellow!
Kathy I love the comb on your boy!He looks so full of life!

Not afarm what day is the finale day to set for Easter?

 

[Chemguy]

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Thanks very much! That was an intersting article, and it led me to the ERL site. With some help from Google Translation I managed to read the preliminary results of a genetic study that was done. Results are preliminary. What seems to be true is that, despite the small population, the genetic diversity is very large. Most of the chickens tested came from a single breeder. Further research will be used to identify genes specific to the Icelandic Chicken. I guess it means that crossbreeding would in fact lower the genetic diversity of these birds by introducing a whole handful of dominant genes. Even more reason to keep them as they are!

I thought I'd pass that along for you and others who read through this thread.

 

[NotAFarm]

Okla, The set date for Mahonri's BYC Easter Hatch-along will be noon on March 17, St. Patrick's Day, 2012. The eggs are set on Saturday so that hatching is done and fluffy chicks are bouncing around on Easter Sunday when many families get together.

Chemguy, I'm glad you found the article interesting and were able to read some of the ERL site. Even with Google translate, it's a challenge!

Yes, they are genetically unique and keeping them that way is our charge. We are a small but committed (some would say we need to "be committed"

) group and, as I'm sure you can tell, we love our Icelandics!!

 

[User105877]

I want some eggs!!!

 

[Jake Levi]

Congratulations Daron and Kathy,

those are both very handsome guys !

Lots of cold all over Mary, I had -30 in MI, can get it here also. This morning it was -18 near the new cabin. But east closer to Michelles it was -30 they report. We have about 4 more mos of winter, it will be, then spring cometh.

Chemguy there are several breeds that I think share ancestry with the Icdelandic, the Norwegian Jaerhon and the Swedish Hedemora the most, they are even sized simillarly, with overlapping colors and hardiness and ranging ability. All are old breeds with restricted ontact with other breeds. I would love to see DNA tests on them, compared with other modern breeds.

Life is good , and better with Icelandic Chickens!

 

[Chemguy]

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Thanks again. If you and the others don't mind, I'd like to lurk on this thread for a while, and pose a question now and then. If that would be a problem or irritation, please don't hesitate to let me know. You see, I have an idea that I am exploring, and this thread is the best resource I have found. My idea is to maintain a flock of a scndanavian breed. This has to do with my heritage (Swedish, Norwegian and Finnish) as well as my desire to be of constructive help, when I can be. That is the altruistic side of it. The selfish aspect is that these are some of the most beautiful birds that I have seen. Maybe it is because they remind me of chickens that my Great grandmother had in the UP of Michigan. I never did find out what type they were (she spoke no english, I speak no finnish), and it's quite likely that they were US-domestic crossbreeds, but it is a powerful and fond memory.

I tend to be careful when making decisions about animals and their care, and that is because I view caring for animals as a commitment and a responsibility. I'm not ready to go about raising a flock ASAP, and would instead prefer to first determine if I would be a good match for Icelandics and their caring community of human keepers.

Last, if I seem to be overly formal in my writing, please don't take it as my being aloof. It is an occupational hazard! I teach for a living, and breaks in-between semesters are my time to do some technical writing. It's hard to stop writing in that style once I begin.

Again, thanks.

Congratulations to Farmerboy and Kathy...those are very beautiful birds, rightly recognized!

Pete

 

[NotAFarm]

Pete, We are glad to have you join us! Can I ask what your avatar is?

 

[Chemguy]

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Thank you, Jake. I've also been looking into Hedemora. It seems as though the Vikings were pretty good at finding isolated, habitable areas in which to spread their chicken genes. I'm reminded of the different breeds of goats and pigs that are found on islands in the Pacific, which started out as standard stock but then evolved in genetic isolation.

Are you or others aware of any significant differences (weather tolerance or common genetic defects, for example) between Icelandics, Jaerhorn and Hedemaora? I'm not as interested in level of egg production as I am in viability.