Olandsk Dwarf Chickens

[nipper75]

Absolutely! They're full of personality, will eat out of my hand, and lay almost every day. Maybe as big as a large pigeon? The bachelors were kept in a brooder until well past crowing before a pen opened up for them, and all three were comfy and friendly.

Fell in love with these birds the first time I saw them! I'm planning on hatching about 4 eggs for my daughters.... Any pointers on this breed? TY

 

[BerrytangleFarm]

Fell in love with these birds the first time I saw them! I'm planning on hatching about 4 eggs for my daughters.... Any pointers on this breed? TY

We've found that they tend to have more sensitive stomachs, so we are liberal with probiotics, especially with chicks. They can also get overheated easily with brooder lights (go figure!), so watch for pasty butt. They're REALLY tiny as chicks, so if they're with older breeds, make sure they are either raised together (we can put the Eng Orps & Dwarfs together right after hatch with no problem, but if they're not in there together from the beginning, the Dwarfs can be roughed up a bit).

As far as hatching, ours can pip on Day 18 and hatch on Day 19, so be ready! Maybe lockdown a day early. But don't use too high a humidity, 50-55% in a thermal incubator or 60% in one with a fan.

 

[nipper75]

Thanks!!! If all goes well I'm hoping to put these babies with some I'm receiving on or about April 3. This is my first time hatching so I'm a little nervous. Thank you so much!!!

 

[nipper75]

Sorry if I'm repeating this question but are these birds cold tolerant since I love in NE PA??

 

[BerrytangleFarm]

Sorry if I'm repeating this question but are these birds cold tolerant since I love in NE PA??

Our flock seems fine. While genetics aren't always the same as direct experience, the breed originated on the Swedish island of Oland, and that's at a higher latitude than PA, so you should be fine.

 

[nipper75]

Our flock seems fine. While genetics aren't always the same as direct experience, the breed originated on the Swedish island of Oland, and that's at a higher latitude than PA, so you should be fine.

TY

 

[mlm Mike]

Sorry if I'm repeating this question but are these birds cold tolerant since I love in NE PA??

From my experience, they handle the cold extremely well. They go out ranging in the cold and snow. No apparent frostbite to the roosters.

 

[Sebrightsrock]

Sorry if I'm repeating this question but are these birds cold tolerant since I love in NE PA??

Same here. I'm in South Eastern PA and they have handled the cold very well. No frostbite on the combs of the roos and the hens started laying in December and have been laying well ever since.

 

[nipper75]

We've found that they tend to have more sensitive stomachs, so we are liberal with probiotics, especially with chicks. They can also get overheated easily with brooder lights (go figure!), so watch for pasty butt. They're REALLY tiny as chicks, so if they're with older breeds, make sure they are either raised together (we can put the Eng Orps & Dwarfs together right after hatch with no problem, but if they're not in there together from the beginning, the Dwarfs can be roughed up a bit).

As far as hatching, ours can pip on Day 18 and hatch on Day 19, so be ready! Maybe lockdown a day early. But don't use too high a humidity, 50-55% in a thermal incubator or 60% in one with a fan.

I




I'm getting a brinsea mini advance. Should I keep humidity @ 50-55% the entire time? Or 50% days 1-18 , 70-80% last few days??? Also how do you increase/decrease humidity?

 

[BerrytangleFarm]

I




I'm getting a brinsea mini advance. Should I keep humidity @ 50-55% the entire time? Or 50% days 1-18 , 70-80% last few days??? Also how do you increase/decrease humidity?

There was someone else here that was using a Brinsea. Not sure if that has a fan or not, but 70-80% sounds pretty high. We've used a Hovabator and Sportsman successfully, but not a Brinsea. Sorry!