Icelandic Chickens

[Icelander]

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I'm sorry if there is a misunderstanding. Winter-time insulation is recommended in Iceland. And 50's temperatures is not necessary, it's just the temperature they are most comfortable at, according to some breeders in Iceland and is the recommended temperature (again, by Icelandic breeders, and it is 57 F to be specific) for owners wanting to try to keep them laying year-round. Clearly the birds are adaptable to many different situations, hot and cold, and not everyone is trying to keep their hens laying in January. I'm sorry if this is off-putting to you, all I'm doing is sharing what folks in Iceland have had to say about their birds. If you live 20+ degrees further south in a completely different climate I would hope it is clear that the same methods are not going to apply. Besides, trying new things is the only way to learn!

Icelanders, myself included, are not familiar with the different U.S. climates (most of us would not be able to place Illinois on a map to be honest with you) and situations so please consider that when reading any of my comments. I'm just trying to share what I have learned from Icelandic breeders, in hope that someone might find it interesting or helpful. If it's not interesting nor helpful please feel free to say so, I'm not very easily offended (if that wasn't abundantly clear by now

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[RedIII]

NotAFarm, if the walls of your coop are built from plywood, it's considered insulated. And I wouldn't worry too much. It drops down around 9 degrees F here in the winter, and my chickens were okay (none were Icelandics, mind you). Granted, I made sure they had a coop to stay in so they didn't have to go out in the snow, and they were able to clump together to keep warm. I would think that the Icees would be okay, if given enough shelter and care. Just like any other breed

Edited to clarify: It's not always 9 degrees here. But sometimes it can get that chilly in the morning, heh.

 

[kathyinmo]

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[RedIII]

Okay! I got some pictures today of my three Icelandic chicks. Tell me what you think!

My favorite cockerel. He's getting extremely pretty, and he's got a good temperament.


Here's the one I think is a pullet. She's shy. Love her color.


The second cockerel. He's started making more 'adult' noises lately, so I wonder how long it is before he crows.

 

[RedIII]

None of my chickens have insulated coops or heat, and they never will. They are chickens, covered in down and feathers, for heaven sake. Chickens live in all climates, and more often than not - live without heat in the winter. My chickens (including Icelandics) survived below zero weather here. They also go out in the snow!

In my opinion - feed, water, fresh air (hot or cold weather), and shade, are what chickens need. Icelandic, American, German, Russian, Australian, or any other nationality - in my opinion.

What they "are most comfortable at?" Around here it is what I am most comfortable with providing.

Good to know! Chickens can be tough creatures. I've even had a couple that like playing in the snow.

 

[Icelander]

None of my chickens have insulated coops or heat, and they never will. They are chickens, covered in down and feathers, for heaven sake. Chickens live in all climates, and more often than not - live without heat in the winter. My chickens (including Icelandics) survived below zero weather here. They also go out in the snow!

In my opinion - feed, water, fresh air (hot or cold weather), and shade, are what chickens need. Icelandic, American, German, Russian, Australian, or any other nationality - in my opinion.

What they "are most comfortable at?" Around here it is what I am most comfortable with providing.

That's so AWESOME that they are that hardy, come to think of it, the Vikings probably didn't have heated coops... !

After Iceland got geothermal heating, however, we tend to put a hot water radiator in every nook since the hot water costs practically nothing. It's common to walk into a house in Iceland in the middle of winter with open windows and radiators under each blasting heat (because we want fresh air but we don't want it to be cold...). I never thought there was anything strange about it until a visitor made some remarks...

I think most people with backyard hens don't heat their coops, maybe it's just the egg sellers that are concerned with this, I have only seen it mentioned in relation to egg laying.

Do your hens still lay in the winter in the cold temperatures?

 

[Icelander]

Okay! I got some pictures today of my three Icelandic chicks. Tell me what you think!

My favorite cockerel. He's getting extremely pretty, and he's got a good temperament.


Here's the one I think is a pullet. She's shy. Love her color.


The second cockerel. He's started making more 'adult' noises lately, so I wonder how long it is before he crows.

Very nice

How old are they?

 

[RedIII]

Icelander, thanks! The cockerels are about 13 weeks old, and the pullet is 7 weeks old or so.

 

[NotAFarm]

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[Happy Chooks]

Red............Love that first cockerel and your pullet. So pretty!

Other Mary...........I agree. When I got mine, I was more concerned about the heat than the cold. I purposely waited through the first summer Mary had them to make sure they would do okay in our hot climate. Other than the fact that they can hop a 6 ft fence with ease, they are well suited here.