Welcome!
Congratulations on your new chicks! Below is a Welcome page to help get you started. There is additional information on the Icelandic breed, the recipe for Miracle Water to give the little ones an extra boost when they arrive at their new home and much more!
About Icies
History
Icelandic chickens were brought by the Vikings to Iceland in the 9th century and have been there ever since.With the introduction of commercial type chickens, the breed went nearly extinct in the 1950s.
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Icelandic chickens are rare. There are roughly 4,000 birds in Iceland and only about 1,000 birds in the United States. This breed is on the watch list for Livestock Conservancy,
Plumage and Combs
As a landrace, these chickens come in a variety of plumage colors and patterns, comb types (including rose, straight, peas and combination), and skin colors.
Hardiness and Temperment
Icelandic chickens are hardy, prolific egg layers and docile in nature (especially when handled often from hatching and can bond with their chicken tender) which makes them adaptable to many climates and almost any type of management program. They really shine when they are allowed to free-range and are capable of foraging for much of their food (but having feed available to them is always suggested).
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Icies can handle a wide range of temperatures (-22F to 86.9F). But they don;t have antifreeze or internal AC so they require general care during extreme weather. Their combs and wattles can freeze so care is needed to prevent this,
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These chickens are good flyers so if you want them to stay in one area you will need tall walls or a roof. It is not unusual to find them roosting in the trees at night.
Genetics
These chickens are significantly genetically different than modern chicken breeds. A 2004 study in Britain found that 78% of the DNA of the Icelandic chicken was unique and could not be found in other breeds around the world. It is strongly discouraged to cross breed with other chickens as their offspring can not be considered part of the Icelandic breed.
Eggs
Icies are excellent layers of richly flavored eggs in ivory and tinted color. Without supplemental lighting most chickens will take some time off laying in the late fall and early winter. My girls have been known to stop laying in October and start up again shortly after the winter solstice.
Message from the Farmer
I hope that these chickens bring joy and many laughs to you and your family! They truly are an amazing breed,
-Farmer Kelly
Magic Water
This water mixture can help give your chicks' immune system an extra boost. Have the water ready for them when they start hatching and keep giving it to them for the first two weeks before switching to plain water,
1 gallon warm water
2 TBSP raw apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup of honey
2 cloves or garlic, smashed or minced
Mix all of the ingredients together and give to the chicks.
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You will have to help the chicks find their water when they are first born. Gently hold them and dip their beak into the water so they know where it is.
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Have food ready for the chicks arrive. They might not start eating right away but once they get comfortable they will need the nutrients.
Congratulations!
I hope you enjoy your new Icelandic chickens! If you wish I would love to see picture of the little ones when they are born and as they grow.
Please follow us on social media and if you are happy with your new chickens please leave a review on Facebook or Google. Thanks!
