Even in its’ own country, it was virtually unknown until the 1980s when its’ plight came to the attention of Swedish preservationists as it was teetering on the brink of extinction. Approximately 1/3 of hens will go broody if allowed. So much that our girls could never safely free range. Hens begin laying eggs at approximately five months of age (again, the comb and wattle of the mature hen will be red, so you can look at this outward sign to determine whether your hen is about to start laying eggs regularly). They are not susceptible to many diseases or illnesses and generally live long and healthy lives. “. They are all very sweet birds, but Elsa is the leader of the group. Let's stay updated! Although they enjoy human company, they do not need it, perhaps due to the way in which the breed was developed. Do you have Swedish Flower Hens? I have a flock of 30 Swedish Flowers and I love them. It’s good to know as a breed they are not aggressive, as I enjoy her antics and maybe in time she’ll calm down. Here are the French standards for reference. Swedish flower hens have not been recognized by any poultry associations outside of Sweden, so there is no true breed standard for this chicken. Swedish flower hens should, like any chicken, be given at least two square feet of space per bird if they are to be enclosed. Patty, The Swedish Flower hen has the distinction of being a landrace chicken. Reactions: Tonyroo. Would these hens do well in our triple digit summers? The Swedish Genetic Project instigated a breeding plan to restore the chicken breed. Mar 30, 2014 1,329 731 286 Cavan, Ireland. In fact, Swedish flower hens can live for about 10 years, which is longer than many chicken breeds. On the other hand, if you want a hen that will sit on just about any and all eggs, the Orpington may be the best girl for you. The skin can be yellow or black mottled in color, with legs being clean and light tan in color. I am so excited because each one of the chicks are completely different in their coloration! Hello! .. it doesn’t seem to matter that the egg is still inside the other chicken.. it’s hers. The older rooster is very aggressive towards all the birds on my farm and the young rooster; well, hes just a loner and none of the females will have anything to do with him. They are 15 weeks old. We were just blessed with a tiny beige egg from each (one each day) and look forward to the eggs getting larger. They are now 20 weeks but not yet laying. Chicks’ legs can be a pink or grey color. Hi Steve, they will probably start laying at around 24 weeks, and they really shouldn’t have the hens food with extra calcium until they do start laying. I can’t imagine looking out and seeing a flock of over 30+ SFH daily! However, it may be an issue for people who live in more crowded areas or are considering the Swedish flower hen as a backyard chicken. - The Happy Chicken Coop - All Rights Reserved. Temperament as a breed is not always what is observed because of the environment the chickens are in. It’s the other way around. Fifty Five Flowery Hens were created –spoiler alert!—in 1955 in Sweden by Father Martin Silverudd, also the creator of the Isbar. As with all things – buyer beware of the cheap deals. Birds can be crested, tasseled or not, depending on the line of birds you have. Instead, the flower hen would have had to find food and places to roost and nest for itself. Standard Vorwerk roosters weight about 2.5-3.0 kg and hens about 2.0-2.5 kg. Well worth it. They are such a beautiful site to see. I bought my Swedish flower hens from a relative and got them just for me, just for pets! In addition, this chicken is said to be relatively nonaggressive. This makes the Swedish flower hen a good choice not only as an addition to an existing flock but also for the 4-H program, Especially for Also, because they are so calm, gentle, and easy to care for, these birds are a good choice for beginning chicken enthusiasts who may not have too much experience. The feathers of the chicken were probably used for stuffing pillows or blankets as well. I can’t wait to see what colors come from the new hatch. Like other chickens, Swedish flower hens are at their healthiest when they receive a varied, nutritious diet. She is a very pretty blue/gray color and just starting to get those white feather tips. Swedish flower hens enjoy human company but do well when left to their own devices. The legs are generally yellow but maybe mottled with black and do not have feathers. I’m so sorry. The object of the Project is to raise the awareness and numbers of this endangered species and to preserve their status as a heritage hen. Very nice articles you publish on here. They run right up to me when I go outside and are the only two that will stare our dogs down when they’re trying to bother them in their coop. Our 2013 flocks of Swedish flower hens lay, on the average, the largest eggs on our farm. Hens that are offered calcium supplements, such as oyster shells, or vegetables are generally stronger and can produce more eggs. At Hollywater Hens we have a variety of organically reared hybrid and pure breed chickens for sale as well as turkeys and ducks. I hatched 3 Swedish Flower Hens. These birds are excellent at foraging and are easy to take care of. The signs that I saw was them doing the submissive squat about 2 weeks before they started to lay. They would have contributed eggs and meat to the farmer and the feathers were used to fill comforters, it’s unlikely that they were cared for as livestock. You should sell tickets to that show! In particular Vorwerk bantam roosters in the Europe are 910 grams, and hens are 680 grams. These breeds will lay consistently, everyday, … And hopefully, it is nice to know they may live for 10 yrs. We have just purchased the Swedish Flower and cannot wait until they become so tame as to eat from our hands..they have great temperament and we are watching them so that we can name them according to their color and temperament. Its’ homeland temperatures range from just below 32°F to around 70°F. Also, I’m looking for blue favorolles. As always, be on the lookout for ecto-parasites. A… Beautiful birds. Imagine my surprise when our Fleur started growing a “top knot” when her little comb started to appear! The flower hen was not created for any particular purpose. She has beautiful yellow legs and big feet. Sometimes she is the leader of our little flock while other times she’s a follower. I have bantams,I have 10 chickens 5 roosters,9 babies,2 mother’s,one big hen.the rooster pick on my big hen,she just hides from them.every morning I did up grubs and feed the babies them,they grow really fast when I do this,are they good for them?I let mom feed them.i just let my babies out for some sun today ,I laughed as they first went out.they are free range chickens … As with many older breeds, the rise of the industrial hen almost saw the extinction of this lovely, hardy bird. If that's a pullet at the front in the last photo, it looks like she may start laying soon . On average, the chicken will lay between 150 and 200 eggs each year or about three to four eggs each week. A rare breed that is not well known outside of its native Sweden, the Swedish flower hen has become popular with chicken enthusiasts who are looking for an intelligent, curious, gentle bird to add to their flock. This tolerance makes the chicken a good option for a variety of keepers. I have hatched some earlier this month and have another batch hatching today. There is so much more to learn about them, like their history, temperament, egg laying capabilities and much more. When Do Speckled Sussex Start Laying. 2 are crested 1 not. Hens need laying feed a few weeks before they actually start laying so their bodies can prepare for the process. In the 1980s, chicken enthusiasts and conservationists stepped in. (1 1/2 yrs ago) Everything said in the article matches my experience. The eggs of Swedish Flower Hens generally range from a light beige to a creamy-tan color and vary in size from medium to extra-large. Swedish Flower Hen: Complete Breed Profile. The eggs themselves are a very pale brown or off-white. If you want to know more about chickens, quail, and goats, The Happy Chicken Coop is the place to be! Since pullets can start laying eggs at 16 weeks and can avoid a molt until almost 18 months old; that definition is a bit off. The first question that comes to mind is how were they introduced, because of the inherit pecking order it sounds like the aggression is coming from rejection or isolation. Swedish flower hens grow to about five and a half pounds, while roosters of the breed can reach eight pounds. I live in central Texas. With a charming, intelligent personality, beautiful feather colors, and good egg production, the Swedish flower hen is an excellent choice for a wide range of keepers. I hope you don’t lose another precious chicken to predators ever. When pullets first begin to lay, their eggs can be quite small but they will increase in size with age. I think my flock started laying at around 20 weeks last yr. Gosh~ it seemed like waiting forever. Although Swedish flower hens can have a range of base colors, including yellow, red, blue, and black, they all display a millefleur pattern. If you have not heard about this breed before then do not worry. We miss him very much and are getting another day old rooster in the spring. She thinks she is a dog I think and does bite. Today, many enthusiasts have made it their mission to repopulate this breed. These breeds will start laying around 6-months of age, though some can overachievers that start around the 5-month mark. Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. ?. I have a lot of laying hens and pullets 20.00 And up ,,, I also have rare breeds small breed Banty chickens pairs and trios. I obtained a “retired” Swedish Flower Hen rooster. The combinations are many and varied – black/white; white/red and a pattern similar to the Speckled Sussex hen. It can function well independently when foraging for food and is friendly towards the flock keeper, especially if treats are forthcoming. The weak did not survive (Darwin’s principle at work). Instead, it is known as a landrace chic… Depending on the stage of incubation, eggs weigh between 65 - 90 grams. I find that words are inadequate to describe the sheer variety of colors as seen in this particular breed. Prices can vary tremendously with this bird, anywhere from $10.00-30.00. They may learn to come when called and may follow their keeper around. they’re all that you said and more. As a dual purpose hen the bird will dress out to a respectable weight. I hope you continue to enjoy yours for many healthy happy years. Highly recommend the Flower Hens, even in spite of the higher price paid. So if yours start laying eggs, it is most likely a hen. 6 Years. Lana is light gray with black, Lucy is reddish brown and Lola is a beautiful black with white flowers. In addition to its personality, the unique color patterns and the chicken’s ability to lay a decent amount of eggs makes it an excellent choice for many chicken keepers. We have two! But Verbena I believe thinks she is a male Turkey sometimes and even runs like one to get after the dogs, frequent passing cats or squirrels whatever and even the other chicks if she is into it with them but Poppie has her number. © Reply. I would recommend them to anyone. They have no negative qualities; peaceful, friendly, good layers, etc. Because they are so intelligent, they enjoy exploring their surroundings. They can tolerate heat well as long as they are provided with adequate water and shade. I just have three and I think my three with their variety is something to see because they are such gorgeous healthy birds and they are only 20 weeks old. The big black Orpingtons are about a pound or two larger but they are not in control and the Legbars are much more docile as well. She’s been a fun addition to my little flock. they have so much personality! We love our Swedish “Followers” (as we aptly nickname them because they follow me everywhere). Highly recommend them. Breed Standard The name translates as ‘Skane Bloom-hen’; very appropriate since the feathers remind you of flowers. In addition to a friendly attitude, Swedish flower hens tend to be quite calm. The Swedish Flower Hen is certainly beautiful to look at and comes in a wide variety of colors. They lay large eggs. Lol they have never hurt the chicks. Swedish Flower Hen flocks are laying well. Once the eggs have hatched, the hens tend to be caring mothers to their chicks. In addition, their intelligence makes them wary of predators, and they can be quite clever in escaping dangerous situations. They don’t appear to have the flowery mixure of features, but are rather just more yellow. Learning more about chickens and its origin will help us to understand more and care for them. Khaki Campbells will start laying around four months, or 17-18 weeks of age, and Muscovies start laying when they’re about six months, or 25 weeks of age – unless they reach this age during fall or winter. I got nine chicks of three breeds at the same time but the hens lead the flock and Poppie another one and Matcha go back and forth with Verbena being the leaders of the flock. Your Fleur sounds just like my three Flower hens especially my little favorite Matcha. The Swedish Flower hen has never been bred to any written ‘standard’ therefore there is no standard for this chicken as yet. I try to remember I’m the third ‘owner’ of her .. This is time they mature and are a proficient eg laying chicken breed. SPO start watching the coop for … I have 2 Swedish roosters and 1 hen. When your birds are becoming adults, it’s time to switch them to a good laying feed. Fleur is such a joy. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about the Swedish Flower Hen including its temperament, egg laying ability, known health concerns and much more…. He’s not mean but then, you’ve go trouble if one of them cackles too loud! Heavier duck breeds usually start laying between 20-30 weeks of age. What is the point of lay? My wonderful Wizzygig (an Ameraucana) went broody for the sixth time since March so I threw my arms up in the air and contacted a breeder who had a small flock of Swedish Flowers. They evolved to become very adept at survival in the sometimes harsh climate of southern Sweden and became the traditional farm hen of that region. The weak did not survive (Darwin’s principle at work). As the popularity of the fast-growing, highly productive industrial hen rose, the popularity of the Swedish flower hen decreased. The dogs give them a wide berth and watch over them like good girls. She is definitely a funny bird! Also they are super healthy. As of yesterday, Wizzygig is the proud Momma of 4 baby Swedish Flowers. My husband is building a pen as I’m writing. A Great-Egg-Laying Chicken breed no doubt. All chicks should be supplied with chick starter from hatch about 12 or 14 weeks of age. Because some of the rediscovered flower hens were crested and others were not, both crested and non-crested birds are considered to be acceptable. They seem to be capable of being quite independent, although several sources say they seek out human company and are friendly to their keepers. I have 2 yellow Swedish Flower Hens. Swedish flower hens are incredibly healthy, hardy birds. They are fun to watch as they run around the yard and check every little thing out! Well worth the time! Typically they start laying around 18 - 22 weeks old, but it depends on the breed, environment & what they are being fed. Some of the white tips are replaced by black tips giving an overall picture of gold/white/black markings named after the rare Snow Leopard. To answer a question about the Swedish Flower Hens & if they're "good layers" - it all depends on what you're comparing them to. Everything you said in the article and then some. A hen with such a pretty sounding name has to be special – and the Swedish Flower Hens (Skånsk Blommehöna) is certainly that. They have a large coop and run though and they can fly high in it to keep in practice if needed to get to safety if needed. Perris said: that's great news! There are breeders working towards a standard, but you have to wonder what that standard will be and how it will affect the current diversity of coloration. Coyotes and raccoons are prevalent here also. The Swedish Flower hen has the distinction of being a landrace chicken. Flower is beautiful .. a reddish brown bird with a crested white mohawk on her mid to lower back. These hens will lay in the region of 150-200 eggs per year. This led to a sharp decline in the already rare chicken, and the number of birds dwindled to only about 500 total. The Swedish flower hen is one of the traditional breeds of Sweden—as well as the largest native chicken to Sweden—and was most likely used for both meat and egg production. document.write(CurrentYear) As they are not recognized as a breed, exhibition would be solely for the purpose of breed recognition at this time. In fact, the disinterest in going broody may have been partially responsible for the decline in their numbers. Paid $10 to the breeder in Alaska and they are just the friendliest birds. They are not inexpensive – the average price of a chick here in the US is around $21.00 or $45.00 for a dozen hatching eggs. Wattles, single comb and ear lobes are all red, eyes are orange/yellow in color. They are sisters and very close to one another and you can see it in how they spat but never really fight seriously even doing their pecking order stuff. Aw. In addition, some birds display both white and black tips. ALso looking for icelandics. The eggs are a color that is unique to this breed. Eggs start small, but soon become large to extra-large in size. More space is a healthier, more comfortable option, particularly for this breed, as it prefers to have room to roam. She moves in a jerkier fashion than some of my other girls which makes her fun to watch. The feathers of the chicken were probably used for stuffing pillows or blankets as well. They are so sweet and smart. Chicks are fairly quick to mature and the chicken itself is a long lived bird, 10 years old not being unheard of. Laying hen is a common term for a female, grown chicken that is kept primarily for laying eggs.Some chickens are raised for meat, while others are raised to produce eggs, and some are dual-purpose.People may use older laying hens for food, or raise roosters alongside hens but dispatch the roosters as young, plump birds for the table. This is a very good reading on chickens of special qualities. Swedish Flower Hens or Blommehöna are one of our favorite breeds that don't get much attention--and not all are hens! Sep 8, 2020 #12,798 Honora Crowing. Farmers probably did not spend too much time or energy caring for these birds. They are also described as quick learners and very smart birds. Egg Laying I have been looking now for a while and cannot seem to find breeders. Required fields are marked *. I free range on our 13 acres of mostly wooded lake property. Cream Legbars are not very large birds, so they do not require more than the recommended space in the coop and run. It was first bred into existence sometime in She has always been Mama’s baby since arriving as a two day old chick from Meyer Hatchery. Thor was part of the SFH breeding program. We have 4 chicks and one of them is making a distinct roo like sound but is only about 7 weeks old! Its’ homeland temperatures range from just below 32°F to around 70°F. Me included a few times. In Earp and Tofta, the Swedish flower hens found were not crested. They are curious about their surroundings and enjoy investigating new things. Even the roosters are said to be non-aggressive although they can crow quite loudly, so close neighbors might be annoyed. They lay brown eggs at a size much larger than any of the other chicken breeds around. Automatic Chicken Coop Door: What to Know Before Buying. Oh Kim! We shall see. The original flocks were found in three areas: As you may infer from the fact that there are crested and non-crested birds, the appearance of the hen can vary tremendously from one bird to the next. Swedish flower hens are good at laying eggs and can provide a steady quantity. Both roosters and hens are extremely gentle, are not flighty and welcome human interaction. Each hen in a flock of Swedish Flower Hens will look completely different from each other. Although, I hear they are not. We had a Swedish Flower rooster named Jack. Sorry to hear about Jack He must have been a very brave Roo! The base colors can range from black, blue, yellow and reds. The rooster, Millie, is a very protective rooster. Sexlink poultry breeds are chickens that were specifically created for egg laying. And the US bantam standards of Vorwerk chicken is different from the European standards. The rarest coloration pattern is called ‘Snow Leopard’. A chicken that is overloaded with lice or mites will suffer not only discomfort but a … This means that they like to have a wide area to roam. Thank you for sharing. (Miss) Flower, as I call her, is scrappy. Copyright © 2021 Chicken Scratch & The Foundry, Leghorn Chicken: Eggs, Height, Size and Raising Tips, Sultan Chicken: Eggs, Height, Size and Raising Tips, New Hampshire Chicken: Eggs, Height, Size and Raising Tips, Top 5 Largest Chicken Breeds – Also Laying Largest Eggs, Top 4 Chicken Breeds to Raise for Blue Eggs (Up To 300 Per Year), Top 9 Best Laying Chickens That You’ll Get More Eggs, Guinea Fowl: Eggs, Height, Size and Raising Tips, Hens weigh five and a half pounds, roosters weigh eight pounds, Chickens display a variety of base colors, Birds can be either crested or non-crested, Eggs are off-white or pale brown in color. I guess it will be another month if I am lucky to have eggs at all this winter. In fact, it was most likely not bred by people at all. Chicks are somewhat more expensive than other chicken breeds, but the price is unlikely to be too exorbitant. In 2014, we imported unrelated bloodlines of Swedish flower hens and are currently selling their offspring. Mine both started crowing around that time as well! Egg Laying and Broodiness. Their little chicken run is the cutest on their exceptionally long yellow legs. In general, you can expect Bielefelder hens to lay anywhere from 200 up to 230 eggs per year.