Some images of truly stunning Hedemora chickens in Sweden

[Wolfefarmyard]

Hedemora is a Swedish landrace, named from a town close to its place of origin. We have some rules for landraces here, meant to promote keeping them as in the olden days; exhibition is prohibited, breeding for color or hatching from machines is discouraged; free ranging is encouraged.

I don't own any Hedemora chickens myself, but I keep seeing them in Facebook groups. Whereas most of them look like "standard chickens", some of them are among the most stunning beasts I've ever laid my eyes on. I thought I'd share some of those almost otherworldly beauties here.

Here's a cockerel, promising to become a stunner. From Eva Johansson‎
Image source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=860307714142355&set=g.269084636555042&type=1&theater&ifg=1

You can tell he's the same breed as this girl. From Cia Sten‎.
Image source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10210202045829282&set=g.269084636555042&type=1&theater&ifg=1

Another cockerel. From Sara Thåst‎.
Image source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155221330634086&set=g.269084636555042&type=1&theater&ifg=1

Like mother, like child. From Ulrika Calmegård‎.
Image source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155793990718686&set=g.269084636555042&type=1&theater&ifg=1

Can you tell i like the combination "dark skin, light feathers"? From Cia Sten‎.
Image source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10208567355563047&set=g.269084636555042&type=1&theater&ifg=1

This guy gets it. From Jeanette Eriksson‎.
Image source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153709756561971&set=g.269084636555042&type=1&theater&ifg=1

They can have red combs too, like this looker. From Louise Eriander‎.
Image source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154973401375708&set=g.269084636555042&type=1&theater&ifg=1

Or this. From Christina Wahlström‎.
Image source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154831123793381&set=g.269084636555042&type=1&theater&ifg=1

Yes, even the hens can have red combs! From Cia Sten‎.
Image source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10208567357683100&set=g.269084636555042&type=1&theater&ifg=1

But yeah, I still prefer dark skin. From Tina Eriksson‎.
Image source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1306613949366789&set=g.269084636555042&type=1&theater&ifg=1

They are also very friendly! From Cia Sten‎.
Image source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10208681546177741&set=g.269084636555042&type=1&theater&ifg=1

The one in the back is the best looking chicken I've ever seen. It belongs to Marie Bertilsson‎. She calls it "wild colored".
Link: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...set=gm.10157104543303082&type=3&theater&ifg=1

These are only a few months old bit these are mine

 

[bekkanblue]

beautiful birds! these are one of the breeds i hope to add this year. we'll see. but i love looking at their pictures too!

 

[Henrik Petersson]

I swear that my birds look identical to them. lol

That would make sense since they're not bred for appearance; they look ought to be "universal" with no unique appearance-genes.

Do you raise this breed yourself ? If so would you consider exporting some to the US ?

No, I don't.

I don't know about importing to the US from Sweden, but importing eggs FROM the US to here is an incredible hassle. For example, you need to keep them in a special quarantine building for several weeks after importing them.

Since 2010, there are Hedemora hens in the US, though: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-breed-focus-hedemora.1035495/

 

[kell]

I have six Hedemora and love them!

 

[Chickenesta]

I also have 4hens and one poulet. A lavender rooster and a red frizzled rooster. I had a lavender chick hatched two days ago (looks like a poulet) and four more coming today. 20 eggs in incubator. Also looking for other blood to breed with. I’m thinking that I’d like to have about 10 or so hens. Love these chickens. Super sweet!

 

[Chickenesta]

I have six Hedemora and love them!

Where did you get your birds? Are they pure for sure? I live in Canada, maybe we could exchange eggs.

 

[ChristineR]

Do you raise this breed yourself ? If so would you consider exporting some to the US ?

Greenfire Farms sells these. I don't have any, but I've seen them on their website.

 

[PNWchkns]

I also have 4hens and one poulet. A lavender rooster and a red frizzled rooster. I had a lavender chick hatched two days ago (looks like a poulet) and four more coming today. 20 eggs in incubator. Also looking for other blood to breed with. I’m thinking that I’d like to have about 10 or so hens. Love these chickens. Super sweet!

How can you tell if it’s a pullet or cockerel at hatch?