Icelandic Chickens

[karimw]

I've literally got 100s more..... but it's time for bed!

Awesome pictures, I bet that was a great experience!

Importation update: All the tests have come back negative! I'll pick up the eggs and the precious health certificate up tomorrow and they will fly with me to the US. I'll be bringing 40 eggs, which is way more than my current backyard homestead set-up can handle. Thank God I will have 3 weeks to figure everything out.

Still can't believe everything worked out and this is really happening, it's been a lot of work but the USDA inspector has indicated that I have everything in order and that I should not have any trouble passing inspection and customs on the US side.


This process is incredibly time consuming and expensive, not surprised people have been put off from doing this.

Very cool Icelander! can't wait to see how they turn out!

 

[Mahonri]

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[tbitt]

Mahonri,

If you click the "My Profile" tab at the upper left (just under the banner) you will see your profile with all the threads you post in the most.

This one should be right there under your picture.
That is what I use!

 

[kathyinmo]

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[Greybear23]

Icelander how exciting to be able to import eggs from another country, I have always dreamed of doing that, I am excited that there have been several people lately importing eggs of several different breeds of poultry, poultry has always been a passion of mine. I am so excited I can't stand it, I hate to steal the glory of announcement but I gave Icelandic eggs to my friend Wayne in Tenn. and he sent me pics of the three babies that hatched from my eggs and one of the chicks has feathers on it's legs!!! Whoop!!! Unfortunately I have not hatched any from my Icelandics this year so I am totally excited about Wayne's hatch!!! Hopefully he will get on here later and have pics of all the ones he hatched from mine and his!!! Lynn in Okla.

 

[RedIII]

Icelander how exciting to be able to import eggs from another country, I have always dreamed of doing that, I am excited that there have been several people lately importing eggs of several different breeds of poultry, poultry has always been a passion of mine. I am so excited I can't stand it, I hate to steal the glory of announcement but I gave Icelandic eggs to my friend Wayne in Tenn. and he sent me pics of the three babies that hatched from my eggs and one of the chicks has feathers on it's legs!!! Whoop!!! Unfortunately I have not hatched any from my Icelandics this year so I am totally excited about Wayne's hatch!!! Hopefully he will get on here later and have pics of all the ones he hatched from mine and his!!! Lynn in Okla.

I love the variety this breed has. I was tickled pink when I found out two of my chicks have topknots. I don't know what I'd do with myself if I go one with feathered legs!

 

[Icelander]

The eggs have cleared USDA inspection and customs and have been dropped off at the farm that will be hatching them. Here is the magic stamp that all the fuss is about. Cannot tell you how happy I was to see this blob of ink hit the Health Certificate:



Mlmddh, I'd be happy to give you a spare roo if I have one, but I haven't the faintest clue how to get it to you.

Karimw, me too!

Greybear23, thanks but I have no thunder on this forum as I sometimes make controversial posts. I'm just keeping a few people updated regarding my importation. Speaking of unpopular posts, there is a big debate in Iceland whether leg feathering is part of the original genome, many of the old timers say it's a sign of mixing, some say the feathers on the outside of the upper part of the leg are OK, and others completely disagree and desire legfeathering and think it is beautiful and should be accepted.

Here is the webpage of one of the old timers that had one of the foundation flock from which Dr. Aðalsteinsson (who passed in 2009) collected eggs http://www.simnet.is/andres/haenur.htm and he says: "Íslenskar hænur eru hvorki með fiðraða fætur eða vangaskegg en ég vil benda á að dverghænur sem lengi hafa verið til víða um land og blandast íslenskum hænum mjög auðveldlega eru mjög gjarnan með þannig fiðurlag og sömuleiðis með mjög fjölbreyttar kambgerðir." or loosely translated "Icelandic chickens have neither feathered feet or beards, but I want to point out that dwarf hens which have long existed throughout the country and mix with domestic poultry very easily very often have this feathering, as well as a very diverse combs."
As you can tell from the pictures on the site, the breed used to be very dark. This man provided 104 eggs to Dr. Aðalsteinsson, or 28% of all collected eggs, and 48 hatchlings, or 60% of the hatchlings collected by Dr. Aðalsteinsson. Just wanted to toss this in here in case somebody found this interesting.

Here are two photos of the foundation flock I got my import from. They are in isolation while the eggs are being collected so excuse the mess and poop has to be allowed to build up for the salmonella test. The flock is 10 hens and 2 roos (one red and one cream).

These pictures don't do the birds justice, they are totally gorgeous and from a very pure and well managed flock. Here they've been cooped up for 2 weeks or more due to the import regulations.

Thanks to everyone that gave me moral support in this endeavour. Please keep your fingers crossed for me and pray for a good hatch!!

 

[Mahonri]

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[kathyinmo]

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[NotAFarm]

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