The Svart Hona (Swedish Black Hen) Thread!

[KYTinpusher]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1007137/should-i-get-a-ayam-cemani-or-svart-hona

Should I get a Cemani or Svart? Thanks!

Being as you are in Michigan, I would suggest the Svart Hona as they are hardier than the Cemani. The Cemani is better in warmer temps.

 

[KYTinpusher]

Has anyone else hatched a silkie feathered SH? I have 2 or 3 in the brooder that are 7 -9 weeks old that appear to be silkie feathered. They were hatched from the same parents - an all GFF trio - direct from GFF. Other than the feathers, they look like very nice, all black SH. There is zero chance they are mixed as the only silkie feathered birds that I have are only 2 months old and they are Silkied Ameraucanas, not Silkies.

I know the SiAms all started from 1 bird that had a spontaneous mutation, not the result of a mixed breeding. So if I had only 1 chick showing it I would think it was the same sort of thing. I only hatched 15 chicks from this particular trio before I lost the cockerel to flystrike, so 2 or 3 from the same parents tells me that both parents were probably carrying the recessive silkied gene.

 

[pginsber]

Has anyone else hatched a silkie feathered SH? I have 2 or 3 in the brooder that are 7 -9 weeks old that appear to be silkie feathered. They were hatched from the same parents - an all GFF trio - direct from GFF. Other than the feathers, they look like very nice, all black SH. There is zero chance they are mixed as the only silkie feathered birds that I have are only 2 months old and they are Silkied Ameraucanas, not Silkies.

I know the SiAms all started from 1 bird that had a spontaneous mutation, not the result of a mixed breeding. So if I had only 1 chick showing it I would think it was the same sort of thing. I only hatched 15 chicks from this particular trio before I lost the cockerel to flystrike, so 2 or 3 from the same parents tells me that both parents were probably carrying the recessive silkied gene.

Interesting. I've got my first SH under a broody. Mine came from Bryan at BJ's, which I believe are also GFF lines. I'll keep you posted in about 15 more days, if all goes well.

 

[Peep-Chicken]

Being as you are in Michigan, I would suggest the Svart Hona as they are hardier than the Cemani. The Cemani is better in warmer temps.

Alright, thanks!

 

[pginsber]

Alright, thanks!

PLUS: BJs poultry is in Howell Michigan and has SHs--Maybe it's driving distance For you?

 

[Peep-Chicken]

PLUS: BJs poultry is in Howell Michigan and has SHs--Maybe it's driving distance For you?

That is very close! Thanks so much!

 

[Baizer84]

Well, I run a Svart Hona rooster on a mixed flock. I had some fertility test eggs out of him hatch last night. Looks like 1) He is fertile. 2) My less dominant Bielefelder rooster slipped a few in too.

 

[pginsber]

Well, I run a Svart Hona rooster on a mixed flock. I had some fertility test eggs out of him hatch last night. Looks like 1) He is fertile. 2) My less dominant Bielefelder rooster slipped a few in too.

Cute chicks!

 

[pginsber]

Interesting. I've got my first SH under a broody. Mine came from Bryan at BJ's, which I believe are also GFF lines. I'll keep you posted in about 15 more days, if all goes well.

Well--so far, so good! My first SH hatched today. She's ADORABLE!!!

 

[KYTinpusher]

Well, I run a Svart Hona rooster on a mixed flock. I had some fertility test eggs out of him hatch last night. Looks like 1) He is fertile. 2) My less dominant Bielefelder rooster slipped a few in too.

Well--so far, so good! My first SH hatched today. She's ADORABLE!!!

Congrats to you both!

Has anyone received a woolly (silkied) Svarthona chick from GFF or hatched any? I have 3 that I hatched from an all GFF trio and heard from someone who received a woolly chick direct from GFF. I have confirmed that the woolly variant does occur among the Swedish population, but I don't know how prevalent it is.