Swedish Flower Hen Thread - Page 113

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiltednerd 

Well come home last night to two dead chicks and 8 missing. Checked the game camera and a red-tailed hawk had a really good lunch yesterday....

 

 

 

Soooooo..... now, for the first time in 10 years, the chick coop has a roof on it....

 

 

 

Does anyone have any SFH chicks they are selling?  Looks like I need a new start. I am in knoxville TN....

 

 

 

Thanks in advance

Oh goodness I am so sorry!  

Most of my flock of hens was wiped out last Easter morning by a loose dog.  I feel your pain.

I have four lovely SFH hens.  The two "mille fleur" colored hens I intend to breed to one roo from a different line.  However, the girls probably won't be laying until May or June.  If you still need some Swedes at that time pm me and perhaps I can mail you some eggs. 

Just wanted to share the new photos of the crew today!  I just love how no two look the same!  The gals are laying almost an egg a day.  The eggs started out small but are already getting larger, but not "large" yet. I am going to set my first test hatch next week.  

Briar:

Spruce:

Cayenne

Rosemary

Paprika

Ginger:

Sugar:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Contrastphoto 

I think they only imported twice, but I read someplace they may import more this year. When I got my chicks the two lines where marked. Does someone have three lines?
Ps My sister-in-law lives in Calera, pretty lakes in AL. We try to visit once a year.

Sorry this is quite a few days after your post but have not been online for awhile due to job, etc.  

I found out from Greenfire (Jenny) that they have three lines of Swedes- purple banded, un-banded, and pink banded.  I have ordered some from the pink banded line recently, for purposes of avoiding in-breeding as much as possible (I have chickens from the other two lines right now). 

As long as we are on the topic, does anyone else suspect possible "split wing" defects in their birds?  I am going to wait until mine mature more to make any final determinations on that but gosh it looks like most have it- there is a distinct gap between the primary and secondary feathers, rather than a nice even fan.  Hopefully it is because the birds are not yet fully developed.    When I get a chance I will take some photos and show you what I mean. 

Also, the rooster I really, really wanted to breed because of his deep red coloring and lovely straight toes turned out to have side sprigs (is that the correct term of art?) on his comb.  I think someone else had that happen- maybe it was KYTinpusher.    I am going to re-home him soon.  

With the curved toes, the combs, and now possibly the wing issue- is this a result of inbreeding, and, if so, at what point should I/we consider out-crossing?  Any experienced breeders out there please opine.   I am reading what I can on the subject but not finding a good answer to that question so far. 

Basically, I think this breed is the cat's meow- a backyard chicken-keeper's dream in terms of both looks and personality.   I want to help improve it but not sure how to begin.

Wow, Contrastphoto your birds are marvelous!    That Cayenne is especially handsome, I think.  

Congrats on your success!  

Thanks! (The names are above the photos... sorry for the mix up. I am guessing you are talking about Spruce.)  I have pink and purple banded. Thanks for emailing them about that.  I guess we should have asked sooner. 

Also do mine have "split wings," not sure what they look like. Please let me know.  As far as the side sprigs, I also had a female that I had hatched from a breeder in GA. that had side sprigs.  Unfortunately, she disappear one day while free ranging. What line did the rooster come from that has them?  

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcatty 

Wow, Contrastphoto your birds are marvelous!    That Cayenne is especially handsome, I think.  

 

Congrats on your success!  

Those are very pretty birds. Do they come in any other varieties other than mille fleur (that's what they're coloring is called, right?)?

These are my four Swedish Flowers! 

This one isn't named yet, I'm not sure if it's a rooster or a hen yet. Any ideas? Do you have any name ideas? 

This is Bandit (Pullet)

This is The Mad-Hatter (Male)                                                                                                    

and this is Dixie! (Pullet)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fluffballs 

Those are very pretty birds. Do they come in any other varieties other than mille fleur (that's what they're coloring is called, right?)?

I have one that doesn't have the spotting 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fluffballs 

Those are very pretty birds. Do they come in any other varieties other than mille fleur (that's what they're coloring is called, right?)?

Most of these Swedes are speckled, or mottled.  Here's what I've always thought people meant by mille fleur, but I could be using the term incorrectly