Swedish Flower Hen Thread

[Bernie56]

Just getting some feedback regarding gender. I'm pretty sure I've got this all nailed down. I'm posting a picture of a roo 1st so you can see
the development. This cockerel is the least developed of the bunch and his gender is obvious.

.

Just want verification that the rest are pullets. This flock is part of our GFF order, 12 weeks old. We are so happy to watch them grow and see the colors coming out.









You think these last 4 are girls?

It looks to me that you are correct. The first is definitely a roo, and the last four appear to be pullets. Is the last one older? She seems to be more mature than the previous three, with more developed comb and wattles. Her overall coloring, and feather shape, would suggest a pullet though. Beautiful birds by the way!

I would not personally worry about the crest on the dark girl. I have seen MUCH larger crests on SFH. I do personally prefer the smaller crests, but I have some birds with pretty large crests, and I know that everything that was bred here had only one crested parent. I have birds that came from egg swaps that I'm not sure of the parents. I have moved to keeping only non crested roosters because it simplifies housing issues so much. I am not able to free range my birds due to uncontrolled dogs in the area, but I really don't think the hawks and owls would be a problem either unless the entire flock was crested, because it only takes one to give the alarm and everyone takes cover. There will be predation losses no matter what you do. While I have no problem with trimming the feathers (it wont hurt them by the way. Some of the larger flight feathers may bleed a little if cut too close, but those around the face wont), its not something I would do..... and some "landrace" people would consider that "interfering".

 

[fintuckyfarms]

My new girls, can't wait till they start laying.

 

[CackleJoy]

It looks to me that you are correct. The first is definitely a roo, and the last four appear to be pullets. Is the last one older? She seems to be more mature than the previous three, with more developed comb and wattles. Her overall coloring, and feather shape, would suggest a pullet though. Beautiful birds by the way!

I would not personally worry about the crest on the dark girl. I have seen MUCH larger crests on SFH. I do personally prefer the smaller crests, but I have some birds with pretty large crests, and I know that everything that was bred here had only one crested parent. I have birds that came from egg swaps that I'm not sure of the parents. I have moved to keeping only non crested roosters because it simplifies housing issues so much. I am not able to free range my birds due to uncontrolled dogs in the area, but I really don't think the hawks and owls would be a problem either unless the entire flock was crested, because it only takes one to give the alarm and everyone takes cover. There will be predation losses no matter what you do. While I have no problem with trimming the feathers (it wont hurt them by the way. Some of the larger flight feathers may bleed a little if cut too close, but those around the face wont), its not something I would do..... and some "landrace" people would consider that "interfering".

Thank you so much! I too have wondered about the age of the last girl. They came from GFF in the same order. Her quicker maturation had me wondering. I have 2 cockerels the same size with much larger combs/wattles than the one pictured. I've wondered if they hatched a few days or week apart.

These are my first experience with SFH in real life. We just loved all the picture and ordered them. So we didn't know how big the crest is supposed to be. Our birds will be in an enclosure because we want to breed them and I have too many other birds free range. We should end up with 2 roos and 5 pullets by time we are done separating. Only 2 pullets are crested so I don't have to worry about crest x crest breeding.

This is just too much fun, thanks again!

 

[SunnySkies]

I have a question for both of you with GP puppies. Your puppies are about same age. Did your pups begin this behavior at a certain age or were they doing this with the birds all along?

No, mine did not play with the birds right off. In fact, mine were born IN a coop...I saw it myself....but it seems that when puppies start taking more interest in things other than mom, their siblings and food and become stronger on their feet, the play comes out. Just like any other dog, I have had plenty of clients say their puppy is a perfect angel at 10-12 weeks, then they come back in a few weeks later for their last vaccines and tell me just how naughty their puppy suddenly became! LOL So I expected it, was also frustrated when it happened to me, and because I wasn't fast enough and lost a couple chicks to Miss Badness, but we have adapted.

My friend with the hawk-killing LGD also has a girl. She had so much trouble with that dog. She would kill and eat chickens, would escape, all sorts of things. But now she is an amazing LGD. She is first on the scene and the male comes in for the kill. My friend said to not give up until they are at least 2.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Couldn't we just start when they're 2 and cut to the chase

(And let someone else deal with the unruly child...)

 

[insanity]

Will if "they" will take unruly teen humans to.

 

[OleMissChic]

No, mine did not play with the birds right off. In fact, mine were born IN a coop...I saw it myself....but it seems that when puppies start taking more interest in things other than mom, their siblings and food and become stronger on their feet, the play comes out. Just like any other dog, I have had plenty of clients say their puppy is a perfect angel at 10-12 weeks, then they come back in a few weeks later for their last vaccines and tell me just how naughty their puppy suddenly became! LOL So I expected it, was also frustrated when it happened to me, and because I wasn't fast enough and lost a couple chicks to Miss Badness, but we have adapted.

My friend with the hawk-killing LGD also has a girl. She had so much trouble with that dog. She would kill and eat chickens, would escape, all sorts of things. But now she is an amazing LGD. She is first on the scene and the male comes in for the kill. My friend said to not give up until they are at least 2.

So glad to hear this!

 

[warbirds]

No, mine did not play with the birds right off. In fact, mine were born IN a coop...I saw it myself....but it seems that when puppies start taking more interest in things other than mom, their siblings and food and become stronger on their feet, the play comes out. Just like any other dog, I have had plenty of clients say their puppy is a perfect angel at 10-12 weeks, then they come back in a few weeks later for their last vaccines and tell me just how naughty their puppy suddenly became! LOL So I expected it, was also frustrated when it happened to me, and because I wasn't fast enough and lost a couple chicks to Miss Badness, but we have adapted.

My friend with the hawk-killing LGD also has a girl. She had so much trouble with that dog. She would kill and eat chickens, would escape, all sorts of things. But now she is an amazing LGD. She is first on the scene and the male comes in for the kill. My friend said to not give up until they are at least 2.

Any LGD breed does not mature until at least 2 years of age. They are in need of supervision and training up to that point..............and some will take longer, and some will take less time. Males generally take longer than females, as a general rule of thumb, and like any rule only applies quite generally. It's a "big breed" type of thing that doesn't just apply to LGD's. Ideally, an LGD will be trained by it's parent(s) to the correct behaviors in a working capacity. When you don't own the parents, or an older dog to train the new pup, then you have to be the parent. For as long as it takes.

I've been employing LGD's for many years here, couldn't run this ranch without them, and they are paid well for their efforts. There are many working in different capacities that are assigned when they show me their particular area of expertise. No LGD gets a permanent job here until they have passed the 2 year old mark, or more, depending on the individual dog. We all have our own methods of raising these dogs to work, just keep in mind that if you set the pup up for failure, it will fail. Try to make every incidence as positive as possible.................and maybe find a way with fencing/electric fencing to keep pups from having direct access to live birds until they can understand that the fast movement of birds is not an invitation to chase/play fetch with.

LGD's raised well are the most awesome beings!!!!

Doc

 

[OleMissChic]

One of the SFH roos I'm looking at seems to have a rose comb? All the other roos and hens seem to have a single comb. Is this normal to have these sort of variations?
I've tried to post pictures and BYC isn't letting me currently.

 

[Bulldogma]

One of the SFH roos I'm looking at seems to have a rose comb? All the other roos and hens seem to have a single comb. Is this normal to have these sort of variations?
I've tried to post pictures and BYC isn't letting me currently.

No - Swedish Flowers ONLY have single combs... but I wonder if the roo has an abundance of side sprigs on his comb which would give it a wider appearance? This can be genetic.

Sometimes crested birds will have a comb with an "S" curve, too.