Icelandic Chickens

[Icelander]

... Now after reading these posts, will my birds be considered inferior because I attempted to combine different pure lines?, especially since I used an evil hatchery, or perhaps I am being too sensitive, I just want to preserve and enjoy this lovely breed.

Congratulations on your Icelandics, they won't be considered inferior by me just by virtue of merely being from a certain line or hatchery (they are not automatically bad), but I think it is important to stay informed and have open discussions about purity and breed issues so that you know what you have and what you need to be on the lookout for. As long as they are pure they are the best birds in the country as far as I am concerned

 

[mlm Mike]

Okay, it's been a long week, so please forgive my poor memory. There were a couple of you on here that were starting turkeys. Would you care to make yourselves known, again?

I'm just wondering how the poults are getting on and how you're enjoying them. Turkeys can be pretty fun.

My turkeys are doing well, they are fun.

Quote:

Wow, what an interesting few days. I fell in love with Icelandics from an accidental roo I got from Sand Hill Preservation Center who specialize in preserving critical breeds and plants but yes, they would classify as a small Hatchery. Understanding the dangers of inbreeding, I discovered this thread and was generously welcomed by all including Mary (not a farm) and am raising some beautiful healthy babies from her flock! I also bought some more from Sand hill (Lyle behl line) so that I could save the best of the best and even built a new coup to house several breeding trios from different lines. I am totally dedicated to keeping them pure, and what I love most is that they are a land race without all the politics of "show" chickens ,allowed to flourish in their natural state. Now it seems that politics have hit them also. Now after reading these posts, will my birds be considered inferior because I attempted to combine different pure lines?, especially since I used an evil hatchery, or perhaps I am being too sensitive, I just want to preserve and enjoy this lovely breed.

Your birds are wonderful!

Mimddh, those are the most wonderful icelandic sheepdog and puppy I have ever seen! They're likely my first!
Sheriff, congrats on the graduation! She sure has a great photographer at her ceremony! I realize you quoted my post. I don't have anything to say.

All the rest of you, keep going on the chickens. Lots of information and personalities. Smiles.

Thanks for the kind words concerning the dogs, all the Icelandic Sheepdogs I have seen are beautiful. The Sheriff's graduation picture was great, and her granddaughter's life story ... sorry I got something in my eye.

so after reading the last few hundred posts or so I have a question.
My question is as I am trying to get into breeding this wonderful breed and help do my part in saving (expanding) the breed
when hatching chicks and keeping the ones you want.
Is it best to offer the chicks as barnyard mixes? or be truthful? there are only so many local icelandic people to help take chicks.
I am wondering because i want to make sure I do my part but also want to make sure my chicks get good homes.
especially the roosters. Purebred Icelandic's would stand a better chance of living a good life than one assumed as a mix breed which usually end up on someones plate.
I look forward to posting more pic's of my chicks as they grow to hopefully get feed back on what you think..

What's your goal in breeding? I just want a self contained flock, occasionally introducing new blood, from reliable pure stock. As for extras, I'll either give to people I know that won't crossbreed, but will appreciate having something unique ; process,;or give to someone else wanting to process. There is nothing wrong with something ending up on someones plate, its a proven method to increase an animals numbers.

Mike

 

[mlm Mike]

Oh, I forgot to add, we had our first Icelandic 3 egg day, they were all found just where you would expect them , the corner of the buck barn.

 

[joyous]

Oh, I forgot to add, we had our first Icelandic 3 egg day, they were all found just where you would expect them , the corner of the buck barn.

I love it when you have to go on a treasure hunt to find eggs!

 

[karimw]

Goodness, I've missed a lot in two days. Seems to have gotten a little ugly on this thread. Sharing out extra chickens is a concern for me as well. The only way a breed can flourish is to get others interested and you can't control what happens with them when you let them out of your hands. Didn't this thread start because of a cross bred Icelandic? So in that sense we know they are out there, just as there are thousands of Easter Eggers posing as Ameraucanas. The best we can do is maintain the integrity of our own flocks and educate those that buy them from us to the highest degree possible. As far as the funky feathers it seems a simple thing to deal with no matter where or how it started - cull affected birds. Period. The problem won't be around for long if that happens consistently.

 

[RingedTeal]

I agree karimw.

 

[The Sheriff]

Didn't this thread start because of a cross bred Icelandic?

You must be referring to dear Stella!

 

[RedIII]

I think I love Stella. It must have something to do with the fact that she's standing outside of a cage, and I can see the word "JAIL" in the background

Is she an escape artist?

 

[The Sheriff]

She is standing on the railing of my deck overlooking the Jail coop and yard. The deck is off-limits and considered inaccessible by all poultry here with the exception of Miss Stella. Her coop and yard would be off to the left about 8 feet and down about 7 feet. But right now she is in the front yard staring at me through the screen door.

 

[RedIII]

Haha, she sounds like a character. I'll bet it never gets boring with her.

Do you notice how it's always the forbidden areas that they love to go in? I keep having to shoo some of my chicks out of the neighbor's driveway. I guess they find her gravel to be very tasty.