Chicken Breed Focus - Hedemora

[altair]

I WANT but Im in Connecticut!! ....... SO nice!!

There's at least one breeder in Massachusetts, but either way shipping chicks and eggs (if you have an incubator) is the easiest way to add some Hedemora into your life.

 

[redrstr29]

Thanks, Do you know the breeders info?.... Perhaps in the spring..... Its getting cold here now, And I dont feel like dealing with babies....

Aldo

 

[gootziecat]

"It is almost impossible to put younger birds with adult Hedemoras. I keep a separate grow out pen next to their main pen so they can get to know each other and I also let them free range together. Once they reach adult hood they can be integrated like any other breed."

Mothernaturesdaughter, what age do you consider to be adulthood? Usually once youngsters (of other breeds) get to be nearly adult size, perhaps 4 mo., they are able to be intergrated with adults.

 

[mothernaturesdaughter]

I am guessing mine have been 5+ months or close to laying when the flock finally accepts them. The roosters become interested in the newbies and normally will coax them to hang out with the flock then the hens also accept the newbies.

I have some that are currently going through this process and, some of the older flock has been bedding down in the newbie's coop which, is a good sign they will start foraging together very soon.

This has been the only way I have been able to make a smooth transition for them and, so this has been my experience and I have heard from a couple of others that they had the same problem and, would be interested of others experiences. Broody hens can be a real asset when it comes to integrating new birds into a flock... I have only had 2 hens go broody in all of the time I have owned them until this summer I think I had a couple more but it did not last long.

Its little things like this that takes a little time to figure out but once you do, it becomes second nature.

 

[Cockatrice6420]

I agree with the broody integration system. The broodies seem to jump right up in the pecking order and the chicks are then accepted by the flock, at least with the breeds I have that all roam together.

 

[AGuyWithSomeHen]

maybe our friend with the rooster and five hens can start planting flocks among those of us who want them ;-)

 

[Cockatrice6420]

maybe our friend with the rooster and five hens can start planting flocks among those of us who want them ;-)

That would be soooo cool.

 

[N F C]

My personal experience over the last 4+ years with the Hedemoras is that they are the most cold hearty chicken in their size group. I have never seen mine foraging in the snow, they prefer to stay in their runs or walk around in the paths I shovel for them. I still provide them with ceramic heaters when it gets down to about 12 degrees. I just finished insulating one of their coops with the hope I will not need to provide them with heat this winter. The silkied ones cannot fly so its good to have low roosts for them.

It is important that they have dense shade in the summer because they can die from the heat. They are very good at finding shade where they like to dig and sit in the cool dirt. Mine hang out in the woods 90% of the time which makes for great cover for them.

They are not cold hearty until they get their adult plumage so they must be kept as warm as any other chick. Sounds strange that I have to mention that but...

They have excellent personalities and make great pets especially for children (for some reason) I have never had a mean rooster with this breed.

It is almost impossible to put younger birds with adult Hedemoras. I keep a separate grow out pen next to their main pen so they can get to know each other and I also let them free range together. Once they reach adult hood they can be integrated like any other breed.

They all carry the silkie gene and so they have all the issues silkies.

I have never seen any champagne colored hedemoras. We only have black, white and Lavender in the U.S and they can have red or silver around the neck or laced through out the bird. I do have a hen that is half solid red and she produced a couple of chicks that had a little more red than her but they turned out to be roosters. I believe once I have an all red bird I may be able to get a champagne color by breeding it to a Lavender. I re-home (as pets) any birds with larger combs, despite being a landrace a small comb should be maintained to help keep them cold hardy. They are a super fun breed to own with all of their variations, sweet personalities and the medium size means they will not break the feed budget.

It would be fun to see some photos of your birds if you wouldn't mind sharing!

 

[TBirdsTheWord33]

I have GOT to stop clicking on these breed spotlights. With 2000 nesting birds in the world the odds of one of these beauties ending up here at Oleo Acres is slim to nil.

I hear ya, Blooie!

 

[altair]

Thanks, Do you know the breeders info?.... Perhaps in the spring..... Its getting cold here now, And I dont feel like dealing with babies....

Aldo

I was mistaken, she's in Connecticut. jan12 is her screen name on the board, try a PM