Swedish Flower Hen Thread

[TxFlowers]

Karen, so if you have a red bird like this one pictured that does not have the darker streaks, it would not be a splash right? Those two roos of mine that you said were both splashes are so similar in coloration to these red pullets I have but the roos had the streaks in their tail while the pullets are just red and white.



Here is a nearly white pullet I have but I know she is a splash. She has the pale blue streaks in crest and on body. She is 4 months old.

 

[Bulldogma]

These are just some of the birds from my flock, but I put this together to show some of the color variations in this amazing breed.



And yet, they still surprise me! Once this little girl is a bit older and showing off her adult colors, I'll add her in there too. Goodness knows - the longer I breed, the more rows I'll be adding to this color chart. LOL!

 

[ki4got]

Karen, so if you have a red bird like this one pictured that does not have the darker streaks, it would not be a splash right? Those two roos of mine that you said were both splashes are so similar in coloration to these red pullets I have but the roos had the streaks in their tail while the pullets are just red and white.

well, for one, she's missing her longest tail feathers, so I dare say you'll see streaks there, but she does have the pale grey head as well, indicating she also carries the melanizing gene. and if you were to examine her closely, she probably has some streaks on possibly her wing feathers or hidden tail feathers. it also looks like she has some grey shafting on some of her saddle feathers as well, but I can't really tell if it's grey or red i'm seeing since the photo isn't at the highest resolution...

but not all splash birds have lots of splash markings... some lines are nearly white (dirty white IMO) with just a pale silvery grey head/neck like this girl shows... that's one reason splash isn't a recognized color variety in many (if any?) breeds. again because it's entirely too variable.

 

[TxFlowers]

well, for one, she's missing her longest tail feathers, so I dare say you'll see streaks there, but she does have the pale grey head as well, indicating she also carries the melanizing gene. and if you were to examine her closely, she probably has some streaks on possibly her wing feathers or hidden tail feathers. it also looks like she has some grey shafting on some of her saddle feathers as well, but I can't really tell if it's grey or red i'm seeing since the photo isn't at the highest resolution...

but not all splash birds have lots of splash markings... some lines are nearly white (dirty white IMO) with just a pale silvery grey head/neck like this girl shows... that's one reason splash isn't a recognized color variety in many (if any?) breeds. again because it's entirely too variable.

The variation in what is a "splash" makes me still a little confused on the matter. I have quite a few red/white pullets that I'm not sure if they are splash or not. I will have to look closer into their feathers to see if any darker coloration is hidden. thanks

 

[OleMissChic]

SFH are a land race breed that developed in Sweden over hundreds of years. Because of the variability in their color patterns and colors, they will never be recognized by the APA. The APA insists upon repeatable. consistent varieties that breed true. While SFH breed true, consistency is NOT in their genetic makeup.

For history and other info check:

http://greenfirefarms.com/store/category/chickens/swedish-flower-hens/

http://sfhusa.com/page.php?5

That makes sense. Thank you!

 

[Leahs Mom]

Ha, it seems like I'm in the minority on this thread, most seem to like the crested. lol

I'm a bit behind here but.... I prefer non-crested birds. I'd have all non-crested if I could work it that way.

 

[Bulldogma]

I also prefer uncrested, but I just lost my one roo that was crested. I want to have both in my flock, but I think I'll add just a couple of my roo's crested daughters to round things out.

 

[OleMissChic]

I'm a bit behind here but.... I prefer non-crested birds. I'd have all non-crested if I could work it that way.

I'm thinking I'll leave them out of my flock if possible.

 

[Bulldogma]

I'm thinking I'll leave them out of my flock if possible.

LOL - It's very possible. I currently have a fairly sizable flock of all uncrested SFH. Luckily KI4GOT has some little crested girlies for me so at least I can offer crested to buyers some day.

 

[puglady]

Saw an ad on eBay from a breeder who's doing crested roo over crested ladies. Definite buyer beware situation. Double crests and shipping are a good formula for a very bad hatch.