Icelandic Chickens
or Íslenskar Hænur
or Íslenska landnámshænan
or Haughænsni
A pair of Icelandic fowl
Photo courtesy of Lyle Behl
These chickens were brought to Iceland by the Vikings in the 9th century AD and were found on most farms for centuries. Indeed, one of their Icelandic names -- Íslenska landnámshænan -- means "Icelandic hen of the settlers." With the advent of the commercial type chickens, by the 1950s the Icelandic breed was nearly extinct. All the birds now existing (less than 3,000) are descended from a very small group of fowl saved in the 1970s.
Icelandics are quite winter-hardy and lay white eggs. This is a long-lived breed and the hens make good broodies. They are also reputed to be quite docile. They are excellent on range, and another of their Icelandic names -- Haughænsni -- means "pile chickens," due to their habit of foraging on manure piles and other places rich with insects and seeds.
There is a great variety in plumage and leg coloration and many comb types exist in the population. Crests also occur frequently. The facial skin is red and ear lobes are white. Feathered legs are not allowed in the breed standard.
Icelandic Links:
The Icelandic chickens group
Icelandic Chickens: A Heritage Chicken Breed for Modern Homesteads
Oil paintings of Icelandic chickens
Photographs of Icelandic Chicken heads
Icelandics doing their thing
Photo courtesy of Icelandic Chicken group on Facebook
A flock of Icelandic chickens
Photo courtesy of Sophie Walker
"Egil," an Icelandic cockerel
Photos courtesy of Lisa Richards
Icelandic hens
Photos courtesy of Icelandic Chicken group on Facebook
Icelandic crests
Photos courtesy of Icelandic Chicken group on Facebook
An Icelandic hen in front of her rooster
Photo courtesy of Sweet Gaia Farm
Icelandic roosters
Photos courtesy of Icelandic Chicken group on Facebook
These hens show a sample of the color variation in the Icelandic Chickens
Photo courtesy of Lyle Behl
Flocks of Icelandics
Photos courtesy of Icelandic Chicken group on Facebook
An Icelandic rooster
Photo courtesy of Sophie Walker
An Icelandic pullet
Photo courtesy of Lisa Richards
More Icelandic roosters
Photos courtesy of Icelandic Chicken group on Facebook
And more Icelandic hens
Photos courtesy of Icelandic Chicken group on Facebook
Another Icelandic rooster crowing
Photo courtesy of Lyle Behl
An Icelandic rooster, with a hen's head looking at you
Photo courtesy of Sweet Gaia Farm
More flocks of Icelandics
Photos courtesy of Icelandic Chicken group on Facebook
A flock of young Icelandics
Photo courtesy of Lisa Richards
Icelandic hens with chicks
Photos courtesy of Icelandic Chicken group on Facebook
Icelandic chicks More Icelandic chicks Even more Icelandic chicks
or
Direct questions and comments to Barry at FeatherSite -- questions and comments
Photo courtesy of Lyle Behl
Photos courtesy of Lisa Richards
Photos courtesy of Icelandic Chicken group on Facebook
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