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What is special about Icelandic chickens?

They have been found to be more than 78% genetically different from any other breed, landrace or variety of Gallus gallus domesticus (the domestic chicken)..

Mix and match the import lines as long as they remain 100% pure Icelandic landrace. The variety of combs, colors and patterns are endless.  Icelandic's retain are a self-sufficient farm/homestead chicken – alert, curious, great foragers, good egg layers over a long time, thrifty, hardy, and fertile.

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Keeping records of your flock

A ‘paper trail’ or informal pedigree. Please, it is highly recommended that owners keep good records in order to trace their birds back to reputable breeders or importers and provide that information to new owners if selling or giving away stock or hatching eggs.

Records should ideally be kept of all eggs or stock sold and to whom.

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How do Icelandic chickens handle heat and cold?

Iceland is in an island and has a maritime cool temperate climate, the temp ranges from around 20F to 70F. Most people and their flocks live in the south coastal areas where winter temperatures almost never go below 20 F. Most Icelanders keep their chickens with other animals in a barn, or an insulated coop. With care they can withstand warmer or colder temperatures.

 

Do combs and wattles frostbite in frigid winters?

Yes. You'll need methods that works well for you individual needs and circumstances, or some people allow large combs and wattles to frostbite, and the tips to slough off, allowing a bird to go through subsequent frigid weather without getting frostbite again.

 

Do they need extra light? 

Here in central New York we use an extra light.  It is not required unless a higher winter egg production is wanted. Hens may be healthier with a rest from egg production during winter. This winter they have the choice of roosts. In light or not. The winter has been brutally cold so we let them choose the most comfortable place in the barn. Flocks do fine without added heat or light. Ventilation (fresh circulating air) is more important than either.

 

What weight do they dress out at?

As medium sized chicken their carcass dress weight for roosters butchered at four to six months is around two to two and a half pounds; hens are smaller. They are great as a soup stock bird, not a great dual purpose fowl, the meat has excellent flavor. It is best cooked longer at a lower temperature using a moist cooking method, such as "coq au vin." Many cooks then pull meat from the bone and use it in casseroles, enchiladas, etc.  

 

How well do they fly?

Yes. They are ninja. Icelandic chickens are excellent fliers for chickens. They can be routine escape artists and love to roost as high as they can get, especially in trees if given the opportunity. Start training them with treats and come to a call as chicks. And learn to roost inside a coop is important for their survival. Lock them in their new coop for 2 weeks so they know and learn where home is. Check on them everyday and visit. If you are concerned about them flying out of enclosures, consider netting the top of outside runs, and/or clipping flight feathers.

 

How do they handle predators?

Icelandic's are considered a very tasty dinner for most predators, just like chicken, yum yum. They are active and alert. Roosters are protective. Best Practice with a free-ranging flock safty is to have a trained LGD,  livestock guard dog(s). You will need a secure nighttime coop, and good fencing. Electric net fencing is successfully used to keep in the LGD and flock. However, places for the chickens to hide under or behind in the foraging area helps against flying predators.

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How rare is the Icelandic chicken?

Current rough estimates suggest about 3,000+ birds in Iceland and probably many more in Canada and the U.S.

Icelandic chickens are on the threatened list of the U.S. Livestock Conservancy.

 

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