Icelandic Chickens

[The Sheriff]

Congrats on the pig Kelly. I wanted to let you know you needn't sweat about hatching 12 Icelandics. I candled 40 eggs today and only had 12 developing. 30%! I am thinking some of it may have been due to the way I had them stacked in the Brinsea. More of the bottom layer were developing than those at the top. I moved my emu egg to the Hovabator this morning and I am going to try another batch of Icleandics in the now-empty Brinsea, once Michael calibrates it.

 

[RingedTeal]

Oh I am so ready for sprimg so I can maybe get my Icelandics.

 

[Totalcolour]

Icelandic Cockerels

I'm totally gobsmacked by my Alpha Roo. Today, we introduced some new pullets to the flock. Naturally, some of the older hens (only have 4 older girls) took exception to the new arrivals and started a fight. "Spike" was right there, breaking up fights, defending the NEW girls. Telling the hens how to behave. He wasn't mean about it though, but very definitely on top of things. What a job he had, there were five new pullets, PLUS he has to keep that other cockerel away from the ladies.

What a boy

On another note, I dropped a couple of birds off at a friend's house yesterday - 1 Blue copper Marans, and a Dark Cornish. I want some of both for the incubator. I can't believe how ungentlemanly his roos are. They don't even DANCE for the ladies.

 

[RingedTeal]

Some roos are just like that and personally I don't like those roos.

 

[Totalcolour]

Quote:
Me neither. Another surprising thing though, the ducks (muscovies) were very interested in the new girls, and several of the younger ducks went over to "introduce" themselves. I thought it was quite charming, the trilling and tail wagging, head bobbing stuff.

 

[Chemguy]

Hello, everyone. Thanks for your helpful past responses. I have what might be a dumb question, but it is one that's been nagging at me for a few days. Do you have goals for keeping your flock? Do you follow any management practices that help to maintain the breed and increase the population? Do you keep your Icelandics separate from the rest of your birds? I'm starting to become pretty interested in preservation, but have a way to go before I can decide how I might participate in that. Pete

ETA: OK, that was more than one question...they just kept rolling out!

 

[Mahonri]

Quote:
How does he calibrate it?

I just started mine up again and according to the spot check it's off about .6 degrees.

As much as I've cussed that bator, I did get 18 of 19 at lockdown to hatch. Not bad.

Ameraucanas go in on Wednesday for a February 1st Hatch.

My wife is truly questioning my sanity.

As for my NYD hatch chicks, to begin with, the FBCMs were the bosses in the brooder, but there are two feisty chipmunk Icelandics who have taken over as bosses of the brooder. Cracks me up.

 

[NotAFarm]

Quote:
My foremost goal with my Icelandic flock is to keep them pure. This has led me to have no other roosters on my property (others keep multiple breeds and I'm sure will comment on how they do it). The only other hens I have lay brown eggs and I only let hens hatch out the white Icelandic eggs (some pullet eggs are not pure white but very, very lightly tinted and seem to get lighter the longer they lay). I have placed birds with a family north of me 19 miles (they also have Icelandic sheep) and will be able to get stock from them if the need arises. They also have Icelandic chickens from Lyle Behl's flock so the additions from me lent new blood to their flock.
Seinna, The Other Mary

 

[RingedTeal]

Quote:
My foremost goal with my Icelandic flock is to keep them pure. This has led me to have no other roosters on my property (others keep multiple breeds and I'm sure will comment on how they do it). The only other hens I have lay brown eggs and I only let hens hatch out the white Icelandic eggs (some pullet eggs are not pure white but very, very lightly tinted and seem to get lighter the longer they lay). I have placed birds with a family north of me 19 miles (they also have Icelandic sheep) and will be able to get stock from them if the need arises. They also have Icelandic chickens from Lyle Behl's flock so the additions from me lent new blood to their flock.
Seinna, The Other Mary

I will be keeping a game rooster and an EE/GAme hen but they will be sepersted and alternating FR Days.

 

[kathyinmo]

Well, it looks like this is the last day of the ol' BYC.........

Just sayin' goodbye to you all. I doubt I will be around much. My computer just runs too darn slow to mess with the new format. I will TRY to pop in once in awhile (like when I have HOURS of down time).

Good luck to you all!