Thank you for this post Ig; , I was a bit upset about the response I got from my post.
I have done due diligence in trying to help preserve this breed. I have eliminated all other cock birds from my flock, prior to getting the Icelandics. Plus, there are no other poultry breeders within miles of us.
We do have some other white (well, very pale cream) egg layers around here, but they are ducks, and apart from the size of the egg, (which I can determine quite well is NOT an Icee egg) their different hatch dates would alert me, (the Harlequins take 28 days, and the Muscovies take 35) not to mention the fact that I think that I can tell a duckling from a chicken at least nine times out of ten. So, small, white eggs, MUST be Icelandic eggs.
Now, Jake says he has a background in genetics, and I have no reason to disbelieve him. I too have some fair knowledge, having worked for many years with some of the country's top scientists at Amgen, and know about scientific method and research.
Breeding birds and "studying" them is only a SMALL PART of understanding any species. I would venture to guess that only a very small fraction of those "Preserving" the Icelandic have any particular knowledge of research in this area, and even fewer of them have the money, time or resources to do it correctly, and with any scientific accuracy.
Having said that, I applaud ALL efforts to preserve this wonderful breed and will continue to do my part.
Edited: In reflection, I think I have been too close to the forest and have missed some trees. While my "theory" was correct, I had not calculated the human factor.
It occurs to me, that what so many people have been telling me, is that there are some very unscrupulous people out there, who could do the breed a lot of harm by out-crossing, and selling the offspring as purebred.
This did not occur to me, since it's certainly not something I would do, nor would think others would do it. But they do. There are many "bad" people, who would try and sell a "mutt", claiming it as purebred, simply for the sake of "MONEY".
So, I would encourage all those who come to this thread, to take heed - do as Mary, the Sheriff, Jake, the Other Mary, and many other have said. Keep the breed pure. Buy from "TRUSTED" sources. DON'T out cross for any reason. If you feel you may have bought a "non purebred bird", don't include it n your breeding program. In this way, we can be sure that this gorgeous landrace will remain pure for years to come, and we will feel good about our own contribution to it's continuation.
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