Utah!

[RJSorensen]

Hey Red, Norway, Sweden and Denmark make up the Viking triangle and so we are (almost) next of kin. And it is in that, that I was so intrigued with your birds from Iceland. As I have noted prior, I just think it to be way cool that you are taking the time to support a rare breed along with working to improve same.

If you have pictures of these, and perhaps time enough to post some current shots of your flock, I for one would love to see them. I find it of great interest that the 'standard' for them is so broad and more or less allows them to be, what ever they turn out to be. Are they listed on the World Watch for endangered breeds? I am not sure of the proper title, for the organization, but perhaps you are.

Anyhow it is good to see everyone and get in some catching up.

Best to all and your birds,

RJ

ortontell I sent you a pm.

 

[RedIII]

Aw shucks, RJ, you're gonna make me blush. I'm just a chicken nerd that got lucky, lol. I'm not sure if they are on the conservancy list or not, actually. I know I've read about it before, but danged if I can remember what the status was. What originally attracted me to the breed were the colors and the apparent hardiness, as we have 20+ acres in Delta we want to live on, and I needed a flock that was smart and hardy. Then I found out the Icelandics were rare, and that did me in. I decided I had to have them.

The truth is, if I wasn't already working with Icelandics, I'd probably be trying to help another breed. I seriously considered the Houdans at one point, as the breed today is in woeful disrepair. It's a labor of love, I guess, but I'm already committed to the Icees, and unfortunately I only have the time to focus on one breed.

 

[La Casa de Pollo]

Ditto on the Houdans Red. I tried but my roo was such a stink. I really want to get back to that...my DH and I were just discussing whether to try and track another rooster down. The hens are really surprisingly good layers, they laid straight through our faux winter. IT is really sad how few there are out there. Judging from the mortality rate the first year with that batch of chicks I originally got from McMurray, there are lots of issues in that breed. On that note...my Houdans are with Ernie, and laying fertile eggs. I keep thinking how tempting to hatch some mutts to see if they look like Houdans but are frizzled. I ought to do the right thing and get another Proper Rooster for them while they are still young enough though. I keep wondering when my neighbors are going to ask me how many roosters I have....lol... they are crowing earlier and earlier these days!

And RJ is right, you are awesome for working with the Icelandics and having the love for them that you do. I am hoping Flekka will give you some fluffy chicks this spring. (I think you still have Flekka?)

 

[RedIII]

Lisa, nope, I lost Flekka last summer I'm still so sad about that. I am hoping to get chicks from my two youngest girls, Reika and Sky. They share some of Flekka's bloodlines.

The Houdans do seem to be frail as chicks. I know they have some Polish mixed in, too. Another member on BYC, actually went and recreated her own strain of Delawares, as the breed was suffering from a lot of inbreeding and such, I think. I find that to be inspiring. I can't recreate the Houdans, but I'd love it if I could help the overall hardiness and quality of the breed. Someday, maybe.

 

[La Casa de Pollo]

For sure. They are so beautiful, and so docile. Lilwanis wanted to work with them too, and had such a hard time getting decent ones. I think she was saying there was a University in Kansas working on them, but could not get her hands on them they were being difficult.

 

[RJSorensen]

Regarding Delawares, I have read the posts here regarding her work. I think that this is way awesome. I like LF with the black accents, a great deal. I bought a few of the Delaware's from IFA last spring, and they, to me, did not mature out very well, conformation of coloring wise. Hardly any black on the neck, well, like none. The feathers on the rear showed up, but they did not turn out anything at all like the breed standard. So I won't try those again from where ever IFA is getting them. I had thought to contact that lady, I think she lives in MO but have decided to try some Columbia Rocks instead, when I am in need of laying hens again. Much like my Silver Sebrights, I enjoy the contrast of a white and black bird.

Lisa wrote of the 'faux' winter… and got a good laugh out of me. The worst part of it at my place was in November, and as my memory is only good for up to three months, well I've put that one well astern. Have I told you folks how much my birds are loving free ranging in this sunshine, with no snow left on the ground? Everyone is ecstatic, me too.

Best to everyone and their charges,

RJ

 

[Cynthia12]

good to keep in mind for sure. bio security is a must. i am very careful about my girls access to wild birds and bird flu is one of the reasons. its a big worry of mine.
i understand that

believe it or not but i have always got my birds from others such as the girls i got from you or i have got some from others who got them from hatcheries. i mean so in some cases its like from cal ranch or ifa. also have never had day old chicks, all have been a bit older

I have some older ones remember, when you are ready. I have Olive Egger. And, in case you are wanting to wait longer, I will have those Blue, or black, or splash...lol..Marans eggs for the hatch a long. Sure hope I get a hatch on those! They won't hatch until April. Maybe you can get an older pullet now, then get the marans later..if I have any.

 

[Cynthia12]

Ditto on the Houdans Red. I tried but my roo was such a stink. I really want to get back to that...my DH and I were just discussing whether to try and track another rooster down. The hens are really surprisingly good layers, they laid straight through our faux winter. IT is really sad how few there are out there. Judging from the mortality rate the first year with that batch of chicks I originally got from McMurray, there are lots of issues in that breed. On that note...my Houdans are with Ernie, and laying fertile eggs. I keep thinking how tempting to hatch some mutts to see if they look like Houdans but are frizzled. I ought to do the right thing and get another Proper Rooster for them while they are still young enough though. I keep wondering when my neighbors are going to ask me how many roosters I have....lol... they are crowing earlier and earlier these days!

And RJ is right, you are awesome for working with the Icelandics and having the love for them that you do. I am hoping Flekka will give you some fluffy chicks this spring. (I think you still have Flekka?)

I also had issues with the Houdans. Very weak, and had a few die! What? I ordered those. You should find some and breed them healthy. Yep, then we all would know where to go for some.

 

[the-bird-man]

I have some older ones remember, when you are ready.  I have Olive Egger.  And, in case you are wanting to wait longer, I will have those Blue, or black, or splash...lol..Marans eggs for the hatch a long.  Sure hope I get a hatch on those!   They won't hatch until April. Maybe you can get an older pullet now, then get the marans later..if I have any. 

lol i will keep that in mind. you know how i would love to get more girls from you

 

[Iluvmysilkies]

I got my big boy today!! I absolutely love him! And the girls do to, particularly Dixie HAHA. They are all following him around like they are infatuated with him lol. Maybe I shouldn't tell dixie, that I didnt get him for her lol!