Swedish Flower Hen Thread

[TxFlowers]

A few days ago, my dear, sweet Soreson showed the first signs of heart failure. I did what I could to rule out any other issues, but it soon became apparent there was nothing I could do to help him.

A day ago I finally separated him from the flock to ensure he wouldn't be picked on, and last evening I brought him in the house so he could pass peacefully in a comfortable, warm setting.

He passed at around 10:40 last night.



Of all my roosters, this boy had the best personality. He was a gentleman and was always the first to run over to see me when I came outside. He would follow me about with a gentle curiosity, and refused to let the other roosters near me.

I'm going to miss this boy!

As wonderful luck would have it, I mistook one of Sorenson's chicks for a pullet and kept her only to quickly discover she was a he... and has the same beautiful coloration as his dear, old dad! Unnamed until now, I have decided to call him Severus, a Roman version of the name Soren... and a name from a really cool series of books/movies!



And so far, sweet Severus shows a lot of signs of carrying on his father's wonderful personality!

I haven't seen a picture of your Sorenson up to now. He was stunning!. What a loss! So sorry! As I have recently said lol I prefer non crested birds but a crest like his is the right size for a crested SFH!

 

[AmLambson]

Ohhh I'm so sorry to hear about you lovely Roo! And so happy you have his son. He was my husband favorite Rooster of yours. Turns out I have seen your chickens on several sites!

 

[Bulldogma]

Thank you, TxFlowers and AmLambson.

Yes, there are photos of my birds here and there about the interwebs... I enjoy sharing them.

Severus is not crested, so soon I'll have to find some crested pullets to add to my flock. Severus also does not have any sprigs on his comb as his father did. He *should* round out to be a pretty good roo. I'm pleased with him so far.

 

[HaplessRunner]

Leigh, sorry to hear about Sorenson's passing. He was a very sharp looking rooster. One the cockerels that I got from you is similarly colored and patterned, not crested but certainly would appear to be a Sorenson son. A cockerel that I got from Karen is also of this pattern.

 

[Bulldogma]

Leigh, sorry to hear about Sorenson's passing. He was a very sharp looking rooster. One the cockerels that I got from you is similarly colored and patterned, not crested but certainly would appear to be a Sorenson son. A cockerel that I got from Karen is also of this pattern.

Hapless - both are likely Sorenson sons. Karen hatched a bunch of my eggs before the Gilmanor swap.

Hope they turn out well for you!

 

[Bernie56]

I am not selecting SFH for speciic traits. The SFH are free to roam across their section of my estate (I think they have around an acre). They do not breed with any of the other 12 rare breeds that I have. Only the SFH and Hedemora breeds are raised landrace as that is my preference as to how to raise them. All the others are selectively bred to whatever standard existed in their native country (if one even exists).

I find your view that my SFH is not responsible breeding to be offensive. Your implication that I do not monitor my flock is also wrong. They are not feral chickens. I protect them and have decided to let them breed with each other as they see fit.

I really don't want to continue this discussion further, but I would like to say that I did NOT say that you were not responsible, nor did I say that you don't monitor your flock! The point that I was making is that we are all doing the same thing, i.e. taking specific birds = breeding population, with specific traits = Swedish Flower Hens and placing them in breeding pens whether that is two birds or twenty. What is at issue is your assertion that anyone separating out pairs or trios is trying to "breed to a standard" or trying to "breed something in or remove something from the breed". I said that "I see" selective breeding as "responsible breeding", in other words in "my opinion" (I assume that I am entitled to one). I'm sorry that you were offended. Possibly I should have said "more closely monitored". I wish you success with your birds.

 

[ki4got]

Leigh, sorry to hear about Sorenson... I do have a number of his chicks growing out. 2 in particular, both are pullets. one is crested... I would like to keep one, but probably not both, since they are very much alike, color-wise... these are from the October hatch and are now outside in the big hoop coop with the assorted cochins and a couple smee babies.

overall I've got 7 out there, 6 more just went out, I've got 12 more from 2 hatches in the middle brooder and 18 in the top from the most recent hatch... (tho 2 I may have to cull because of wry neck that isn't 'fixing' itself).

the 2nd youngest bunch inside, 2 of them are also splash based, likely Sorenson's, and I've got a couple in the youngest bunch as well, one is definitely crested and has the 'LOOK AT ME!' attitude already. LOL

John took these pics, as I was getting their dinner ready, walking back and forth across the room... LOL
oh, and I think the roo in the middle is one of Sorenson's also...

 

[ki4got]

as for breeding, I'll just say that knowing about the potential issues resulting from crested to crested breedings, I personally will not do that. knowing that chicks will likely die in the shell and even if they do hatch, may not have a quality of life, is not something I can do. breeding birds with overly large crests is also something that I won't do willingly, since most of them will be free ranging at one time or another, and they need all the help they can get just to stay away from the hawks.

Every Polish I had, when I started with chickens either got culled because of bad attitude, or got taken by a predator during the day time... so no more huge crests for me. (i'm not implying huge crests = bad attitude...)

IMO a true landrace situation is going to allow for natural selection, meaning those best suited to survive will. I'm not going to create a situation where I know birds would be hatched with a disadvantage to begin with (vaulted skulls or huge crests), and just let them go knowing that they are the most likely to get eaten, so therefore the population is stronger for it. I would rather spend my time and money working with a line of birds that I know to be strong and able to care for themselves and produce more chicks just like themselves.

 

[Bulldogma]

Karen - if you have a crested pullet (or 2) you might be willing to part with, please let me know! I'm in the market for a couple. LOL!

 

[wildhorseannie]

Leigh, I am so sorry to hear about Sorenson.
I hope his sons and daughters fill the space, and heal the hurt in your heart.