Swedish Flower Hen Thread

[Kimbroe1981]

Quote:
I'm hoping I get them today, but I'm not holding my breath over it. Still no update on USPS site. The seller told me to let them know if I don't get them today.

 

[Kimbroe1981]

Quote: I don't know, I'm afraid to move her to check.

 

[sevierchickens]

I have been thinking about this a lot, and will try to express my thoughts without getting to long winded. These are just my thoughts. I am a little concerned about the idea that Swedish Flower Hens are not a "breed". I do understand that they are not a "Sanctioned" breed, with a "Standard of Perfection", but they are certainly recognizable as Swedish Flower Hens! I LOVE the diversity of this "breed" and want to preserve that. I am afraid that if people think its not a "real breed" they are free to breed to anything without consideration. I also feel that there has been too much made of the "limited gene pool" of the initial imports. Even full brothers and sisters have a unique genetic make up. We should be concerned about severe inbreeding as in taking a single pair and 25 years later still having no new blood introduced. Even though there was a limited gene pool in the original imports the offspring off those birds have been divided into individual flocks, and spread out over the entire country. Each one of those new flocks are developing their own genetic "identity". We, as people who LOVE this "breed", need to select within our own flocks for "positive" traits and against "negative" traits within the "breed" and bring in new blood as necessary for genetic diversity. As long as we as breeders are responsible, we can continue preserve and promote this lovely "breed"!

I don't think anybody said that swedish flower hens are not a "breed" or a "real breed"....The only thing they are NOT is a "breed" that can be put into a "breed standard" of perfection like other "breeds" of chicken, as they come in a variety of types. There is no need to change anything or act like omg we have to establish breed standards and start showing them (even though it would be nice for some to do), but I think this breed is as awesome and perfect just the way it is.

and as far as "getting new blood" goes, here is a very good article on that

"The novice in breeding is accustomed to refer to this as going outside for "new blood," but that is not the real object, and the term is misleading. An expert breeder does not go outside of his own stock to get new blood. He goes to get a particular quality or character that some other breeder is getting a little better than he is, or to get something that will give him a particular development or blend of characters that is not so readily made in his own stock. The poultry keeper who knows how to breed is not in the least interested in any "new blood" except as it may be expected to give such results when combined with his own. He would much rather not have the new blood at all if he could get the characters wanted without it, for bringing in new blood has a tendency sometimes to bring out again in both lines old faults that had been suppressed.
The novice who buys new blood usually mixes it fully at once with that of his entire breeding stock. The expert breeder uses new blood only in special matings, and eventually mingles it with that of his general stock only if he finds that doing so will give the results desired. As a rule, it is much diluted before he does so, and it may be that out of all the offspring in several generations from the mixture only one or two birds are ever used for breeding. It is not uncommon for breeders to work for several years with small lines made up in part from outside stock, and then discard them."

 

[cathiesue]

Nice find on the breeder/new blood concern Sevierchickens (ok i typed it as severechickens 3x, sorry) I am novice so that good information. Day 18 for my Flower hatch. 3 with really good movement, one possible and one quitter. So excited for this. I really need to pay attention next time and set to hatch on a weekend. I'l be at work for this one. Darling man will be at home. Maybe i can get him to text pictures. Great weekend everyone!

 

[sevierchickens]

Nice find on the breeder/new blood concern Sevierchickens (ok i typed it as severechickens 3x, sorry) I am novice so that good information. Day 18 for my Flower hatch. 3 with really good movement, one possible and one quitter. So excited for this. I really need to pay attention next time and set to hatch on a weekend. I'l be at work for this one. Darling man will be at home. Maybe i can get him to text pictures. Great weekend everyone!

great to hear! post some pictures once you have them ...and thanks, Hope you are having a great weekend yourself!!!

 

[Kimbroe1981]

HHHH! I went to check on my broody before going to the fair and saw 2 little white heads poking out from under her black feathers!! Theres at least 2! I'm so excited!

 

[Cynthia12]

AHHHH! I went to check on my broody before going to the fair and saw 2 little white heads poking out from under her black feathers!! Theres at least 2! I'm so excited!

 

[Bernie56]

AHHHH! I went to check on my broody before going to the fair and saw 2 little white heads poking out from under her black feathers!! Theres at least 2! I'm so excited!

Nice!

 

[Bernie56]

I don't think anybody said that swedish flower hens are not a "breed" or a "real breed"....The only thing they are NOT is a "breed" that can be put into a "breed standard" of perfection like other "breeds" of chicken, as they come in a variety of types. There is no need to change anything or act like omg we have to establish breed standards and start showing them (even though it would be nice for some to do), but I think this breed is as awesome and perfect just the way it is.

and as far as your "getting new blood" goes, here is a very good article on that, as I personally was wondering what you need new blood for at this time....


"The novice in breeding is accustomed to refer to this as going outside for "new blood," but that is not the real object, and the term is misleading. An expert breeder does not go outside of his own stock to get new blood. He goes to get a particular quality or character that some other breeder is getting a little better than he is, or to get something that will give him a particular development or blend of characters that is not so readily made in his own stock. The poultry keeper who knows how to breed is not in the least interested in any "new blood" except as it may be expected to give such results when combined with his own. He would much rather not have the new blood at all if he could get the characters wanted without it, for bringing in new blood has a tendency sometimes to bring out again in both lines old faults that had been suppressed.
The novice who buys new blood usually mixes it fully at once with that of his entire breeding stock. The expert breeder uses new blood only in special matings, and eventually mingles it with that of his general stock only if he finds that doing so will give the results desired. As a rule, it is much diluted before he does so, and it may be that out of all the offspring in several generations from the mixture only one or two birds are ever used for breeding. It is not uncommon for breeders to work for several years with small lines made up in part from outside stock, and then discard them."

Actually I was referring to posts that I have seen on here about "out crossing", and Swedish Flower Hens being "a landrace, and not a breed". Also, where did you get the idea that I was "needing new blood at this time"? I agree with the article that you quoted. I did say that we should "select within our own flocks, and get new blood as necessary" I also agree that "this breed is awesome and perfect just the way it is." I thought that was what I said.

 

[sevierchickens]

Actually I was referring to posts that I have seen on here about "out crossing", and Swedish Flower Hens being "a landrace, and not a breed". Also, where did you get the idea that I was "needing new blood at this time"? I agree with the article that you quoted. I did say that we should "select within our own flocks, and get new blood as necessary" I also agree that "this breed is awesome and perfect just the way it is." I thought that was what I said.

sorry, if I misunderstood you, but I get quite worked up when hearing breeder talk. (like I said before I have Jack Russells and am quite active in the doggie world, and have to hear and read so much booboo from some breeders that I don't have a lot of patience in that department anymore!)
And yes, let's keep this breed as perfect as it is!! For those that want to cross it with others...SCREW THEM!