Helping the Swedish Flower Hen

[jbarrett]

I hope it doesn't make any difference that they are mature hens but AREN"T laying!

 

[TNBEARCHICK]

My SWEDS only played 3 yesterday, normally 6

 

[Bulldogma]

I'll get out there tomorrow if it's not too windy. It's been crazy windy here the past 2 days, so windy it knocks the birds around a bit. I do know on thursday it's supposed to be warmer & back in the 60's. hopefully it won't be windy. I'm so sick of this crazy wind! You only need mature birds??

Yes - just mature birds. They change so much as they grow up, and conformation standards should be based on mature birds.

Thank you for helping out with photos! I'll look forward to getting them!!

Leigh (Bulldogma)

 

[lcatty]

Wow, I just discovered you guys had this thread! Fabulous! I've subscribed. Will take photos of my birds when I get a chance. I'm in, and can contribute more as soon as I get my flock sorted out. Right now I only have one mature rooster without split wing, and four hens.

Justin, you are amazing! You too, Leigh! Keep up the good work!

 

[jbarrett]

Wow, I just discovered you guys had this thread! Fabulous! I've subscribed. Will take photos of my birds when I get a chance. I'm in, and can contribute more as soon as I get my flock sorted out. Right now I only have one mature rooster without split wing, and four hens.

Justin, you are amazing! You too, Leigh! Keep up the good work!

well I guess I got my answer I replied to your message! Thank you I could not do it with out all the help from you guys on here!! SO youre in, Thank you for your support it is greatly appreciated!

 

[Bernie56]

Thanks guys now I gotta get more attention to this page! I also need to know for sure who wants to be part of the breeding program? Also we all need to work on getting a SOP set up, some dont want this myself included, maily because the Swedish Flower is a landrace breed and was developed over time and can come out with so much variation...but to get fully accepted by APA we have to have this, my thinkings are that if we just make notes on color pattern, body type (shape), wings (NO SPLIT) it will allow us all to breed these birds and head for a more perfect bird so we can say this is what the SFH looks like and then give a list of all the known colors! and then they will add to it as new colors are discovered/developed!
Thanks All Justin

Justin, If this is being required by APA or any other Registry to be accepted/recognized, then I, personally, would not be in favor of pursuing it further. I have worked with Ameraucana's, and can tell you that the color issue really creates problems. In the Ameraucana breed there are 8 "recognized" colors. Blue, Black, White, Buff, Brown Red, Silver, Wheaton, and Blue Wheaton. You have the Blue/Black/Splash issue as well but Blue Splash is not a recognized color. If you have a pure Black, and say a pure White, and you cross them they are not considered pure unless they are Black or White, and breed true. I am afraid that having to designate individual colors will bring in a lot of confusion and ultimately people trying to develop "Red Swedish Flower Hens" or "Blue SFH's", etc. Which would breed out the genetic diversity that we all love. Please know that I am not trying to discourage you! It is just that the above statement really raises a red flag for me!! I do think that a breed Description should list all colors, but an SOP should state, in some way, that any given specimen can be any background color combined with the characteristic mottling which really is what sets the breed apart. Thanks for your efforts!

 

[jbarrett]

Justin, If this is being required by APA or any other Registry to be accepted/recognized, then I, personally, would not be in favor of pursuing it further. I have worked with Ameraucana's, and can tell you that the color issue really creates problems. In the Ameraucana breed there are 8 "recognized" colors. Blue, Black, White, Buff, Brown Red, Silver, Wheaton, and Blue Wheaton. You have the Blue/Black/Splash issue as well but Blue Splash is not a recognized color. If you have a pure Black, and say a pure White, and you cross them they are not considered pure unless they are Black or White, and breed true. I am afraid that having to designate individual colors will bring in a lot of confusion and ultimately people trying to develop "Red Swedish Flower Hens" or "Blue SFH's", etc. Which would breed out the genetic diversity that we all love. Please know that I am not trying to discourage you! It is just that the above statement really raises a red flag for me!! I do think that a breed Description should list all colors, but an SOP should state, in some way, that any given specimen can be any background color combined with the characteristic mottling which really is what sets the breed apart. Thanks for your efforts!

no sir this is not required but they just want to have a list of all the colors so they can show how many color varities there are within this breed! I am totaly with you of that is something they do then I will drop this whole thing like a sack of brick! I would not even be interesting in this any futher if that is the way they want to do it! No worries, any other questons please ask them....Thanks Justin

 

[FeyRaine]

I got 7 SFH hatched this weekend.

Looks like one will be crested.

 

[jbarrett]

I got 7 SFH hatched this weekend.

Looks like one will be crested.

are they all black and blue????

 

[FeyRaine]

are they all black and blue????

Well I'm not sure, this is my 1st time w/ them
I would call their fluff colors to be Black, Grey & Yellow , so what does that mean for their mature colors??

(most of them are Black & yellow, that one in front w/ the slight crest is the only mainly grey fluff one)