Swedish Flower Hen Thread

[goddardd]

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I think you may have me confused with someone else. I had to go through my PMs to make sure I hadn't misled you somehow. My SFH all run together - crested and non-crested. For a while, I only had non-crested roos in my flock, but a few months ago added a roo with a small crest to add more diversity. I have been hatching mostly non-crested chicks here - only 1 out of 13 chicks in the last hatch were crested. If you want non-crested, I hope you have the same luck.

BTW - Wallis is a SHE and I generally go by Walli!

[/quote Hi Walli! So sorry for the major boo boo! I did order one other package of eggs and I must have gotten myself all mixed up! I swear I get more demented by the day!! LOL Please forgive my senior moment. I do have your eggs safely in the bator and I can't wait for them to turn into chicks. I am preparing a new coop and yard space for my Swedish flower hens. I am very excited. I would like to ask a question. I keep reading that these birds lay nice sized eggs in the winter. Do you think they will lay here in TX with our warm climate? Of course all my birds slow down during the hottest part of summer, but I'm a little worried about this northland breed of bird. I hope I can get them going, though. My Grandmother was from Sweden and this project is kind of a tribute to her.

 

[TxFlowers]

Do you think they will lay here in TX with our warm climate? Of course all my birds slow down during the hottest part of summer, but I'm a little worried about this northland breed of bird. I hope I can get them going, though. My Grandmother was from Sweden and this project is kind of a tribute to her.

I have wondered same as here in East Texas it's quite hot with very high humidity most of the time. Diane, you will have to let me know how your SF do as my HOPE is that in the next yr or two I will be able to move to around the Abilene or Brownwood, Texas area. It will be even hotter there like your temps but at least it will be less humid!

 

[Bulldogma]

I don't think it will be too much of an issue. The SFH is from the south part of Sweden where it does get a bit warmer.

 

[KYTinpusher]

No problem on the gender mix-up, I get it ALL the time. I just wanted to put the correct info out there.

My SFH have been laying well during the heat we have had lately, except when I NEED them to for an order, of course!

, and even then it's not bad. Maybe some of the SFH breeders from TX will chime in on how theirs are doing.

Their eggs are on the small side during the first year, but become med. to large after they are about a year old.

 

[TxFlowers]

My SFH have been laying well during the heat we have had lately, except when I NEED them to for an order, of course!

, and even then it's not bad. Maybe some of the SFH breeders from TX will chime in on how theirs are doing.

105 degree Texas heat just might be a bit of a challenge on a Swedish breed of chicken for summer laying!

 

[goddardd]

I know, it has been sooo hot this year! I haven't been too worried about egg production because of the temps. Mostly I've just been trying to keep everybody living!
It's been good here, though. I haven't lost anything. Some of my birds are starting to lay again now, even though they are doing some molting.
Our winters are pretty mild here. I was hoping I would get sfh eggs at the same time my others are laying. Keeping my fingers crossed!
The red chick seems to be already getting more brown. I have named him Ghiradelli. I say him, but who knows. I did try to feather sex them upon their arrival but all the chinks wings looked pretty much the same.

Tx Flowers - I know you're going to miss those pretty pine trees when you move, but at least the mold count won't be so high in the air.
Diane

 

[TxFlowers]

I know, it has been sooo hot this year! I haven't been too worried about egg production because of the temps. Mostly I've just been trying to keep everybody living!
It's been good here, though. I haven't lost anything. Some of my birds are starting to lay again now, even though they are doing some molting.
Our winters are pretty mild here. I was hoping I would get sfh eggs at the same time my others are laying. Keeping my fingers crossed!
The red chick seems to be already getting more brown. I have named him Ghiradelli. I say him, but who knows. I did try to feather sex them upon their arrival but all the chinks wings looked pretty much the same.

Tx Flowers - I know you're going to miss those pretty pine trees when you move, but at least the mold count won't be so high in the air.
Diane

I know what you mean about just keeping them ALIVE! I put out several low tubs of water and wet down the ground around the tubs. The chickens dig into the damp earth and press up against the cool tub sides to make it through the hottest days! I also will let the water run out there on the ground for a while making a big muddy puddle. They love to come walk through it! They really get excited when the see the water hose on! lol.I can't blame them.

About missing the pine trees..... nope sure won't really. I want to see Cedars and Mesquite! lol I grew up in Houston but was lucky enough to get out of that place and live in central Texas for a few yrs. Unfortunately I had to leave that area. Moved here, got married and just got stuck here! Anxious to get back into that area of Texas that I loved so much.

 

[minihorse927]

I had been adding frozen water bottles to the pens that couldn't get access to the wet mud puddles the ducks/me made out in the yard. I would throw 2 or 3 in and the chickens would perch on top of them or lay up against them to cool. I haven't lost any birds due to heat yet. It is starting to cool off finally here after being over 90 for over a month.

 

[TxFlowers]

I have some 5 gal waterers. By middle of the afternoon the water in them gets warm even though they are in the shade. They have a wide screw off top. On some really hot days we had, I filled them mostly full then put in a frozen 1 gal jug of water. The chickens loved it!

 

[minihorse927]

I have some 5 gal waterers. By middle of the afternoon the water in them gets warm even though they are in the shade. They have a wide screw off top. On some really hot days we had, I filled them mostly full then put in a frozen 1 gal jug of water. The chickens loved it!

This is a great idea. I never thought of that one!