Swedish Flower Hen Thread

[Bulldogma]

Yes I think I've had several hatch that color -- I've thought of the chicks as being kinda redish-darkpurple ; it shows more in bright light, otherwise they blend in w/ the normal black/dark charcoal grey of the penguin types. But I can't really tell you what they grow up to look like, as in the first batches (not my eggs) I didn't track which was which & then didn't end up w/ but the 1 hen anyway. I think I have one w/ some of that redish-dark purple tinge now so I'll look closer & get some pictures when my phone recharges...& if I do have one now I'll pay more attention to how it matures so we can compare to see if they turn out the same or different...fun with flowers

I have a feeling it will turn out to be a rather normal looking Mille Fleur... but I SO love the color right now! And yes - I had the same thoughts about the dark purple - especially in certain light!

 

[FeyRaine]

I have a feeling it will turn out to be a rather normal looking Mille Fleur... but I SO love the color right now! And yes - I had the same thoughts about the dark purple - especially in certain light!

Likely on the ending up MF. Ok so I don't want to offend anyone, but when I saw this color on some of my chicks it reminded me of a few years ago there were a number of late30s-mid40 women who dyed their hair w/ some new shade of "Aubern" and made big deals about their new "red" hair which to me looked kinda dark purple in bright sun -- I think these chicks look to be *exactly that hair dye color....;/

 

[Cycogirl]

I have a question about crested x crested breeding, how to identify double crested birds and the problems associated with them.

This spring I purchased 5 SFH chicks from a local breeder, 3 of the 5 chicks had these cute little heads that looked like they were 'capped', all three of these chicks grew to develop huge crests which blocked their vision etc. The other two SFH chicks (that looked normal) grew to develop crests that look appropriate (like all the photos I have seen), they do not block the eyes and they are not huge poofy things.

So the two huge crested pullets have died, one seemed to develop leg problems. Now the huge crested cockeral seems unsteady and is sitting a lot. I am very freaked out about this potentially being Mereks Disease, but these funny little chicks with the capped heads are the only ones having problems.

At the same time I bought the SFH hens I also bought Americaunas (3), Banyard Specials (7), and meat chickens (17). None of these other breeds, nor the normally crested SFH are having any problems. Coincidence?

Looking at the website for the breeder, almost all the pictures of Roosters are crested, and all the chicks I purchased turned out crested, so I suspect they were breeding crested to crested.

I am curious what sort of problems crested x crested birds have, and if you think that is my issue or something else is going on?

I am a total chicken noobie here so am trying to learn.

 

[KYTinpusher]

I have a question about crested x crested breeding, how to identify double crested birds and the problems associated with them.

This spring I purchased 5 SFH chicks from a local breeder, 3 of the 5 chicks had these cute little heads that looked like they were 'capped', all three of these chicks grew to develop huge crests which blocked their vision etc. The other two SFH chicks (that looked normal) grew to develop crests that look appropriate (like all the photos I have seen), they do not block the eyes and they are not huge poofy things.

So the two huge crested pullets have died, one seemed to develop leg problems. Now the huge crested cockeral seems unsteady and is sitting a lot. I am very freaked out about this potentially being Mereks Disease, but these funny little chicks with the capped heads are the only ones having problems.

At the same time I bought the SFH hens I also bought Americaunas (3), Banyard Specials (7), and meat chickens (17). None of these other breeds, nor the normally crested SFH are having any problems. Coincidence?

Looking at the website for the breeder, almost all the pictures of Roosters are crested, and all the chicks I purchased turned out crested, so I suspect they were breeding crested to crested.

I am curious what sort of problems crested x crested birds have, and if you think that is my issue or something else is going on?

I am a total chicken noobie here so am trying to learn.

and to the SFH thread!

Those with the cute little caps likely have/had vaulted skulls which leaves them more vulnerable to head injury. This can manifest as some kinds of neurological issues, like leg problems, that mirror Marek's or other diseases. It can result from a crested to crested breeding. If you separate the cockerel to keep him from further injury, he may improve, but will likely relapse if he gets pecked in the head. If you are really worried about Marek's, you may want have to have a necropsy done on one of the affected birds.

 

[Bulldogma]

Likely on the ending up MF. Ok so I don't want to offend anyone, but when I saw this color on some of my chicks it reminded me of a few years ago there were a number of late30s-mid40 women who dyed their hair w/ some new shade of "Aubern" and made big deals about their new "red" hair which to me looked kinda dark purple in bright sun -- I think these chicks look to be *exactly that hair dye color....;/

LOL!!! I thought the SAME thing!

I have a question about crested x crested breeding, how to identify double crested birds and the problems associated with them.

This spring I purchased 5 SFH chicks from a local breeder, 3 of the 5 chicks had these cute little heads that looked like they were 'capped', all three of these chicks grew to develop huge crests which blocked their vision etc. The other two SFH chicks (that looked normal) grew to develop crests that look appropriate (like all the photos I have seen), they do not block the eyes and they are not huge poofy things.

So the two huge crested pullets have died, one seemed to develop leg problems. Now the huge crested cockeral seems unsteady and is sitting a lot. I am very freaked out about this potentially being Mereks Disease, but these funny little chicks with the capped heads are the only ones having problems.

At the same time I bought the SFH hens I also bought Americaunas (3), Banyard Specials (7), and meat chickens (17). None of these other breeds, nor the normally crested SFH are having any problems. Coincidence?

Looking at the website for the breeder, almost all the pictures of Roosters are crested, and all the chicks I purchased turned out crested, so I suspect they were breeding crested to crested.

I am curious what sort of problems crested x crested birds have, and if you think that is my issue or something else is going on?

I am a total chicken noobie here so am trying to learn.

Most of us who breed Swedish Flower Hens are very much against crested x crested breedings because there are so many problems. I'm so sorry you are losing your birds!

and to the SFH thread!

Those with the cute little caps likely have/had vaulted skulls which leaves them more vulnerable to head injury. This can manifest as some kinds of neurological issues, like leg problems, that mirror Marek's or other diseases. It can result from a crested to crested breeding. If you separate the cockerel to keep him from further injury, he may improve, but will likely relapse if he gets pecked in the head. If you are really worried about Marek's, you may want have to have a necropsy done on one of the affected birds.

^ What she said! ^

 

[ivyrash]

I am looking for some guidance with my SFH here. I bought my first ones from two separate people last spring, raised them and have been doing lots of hatching this year. What I find is that when they are around 4 weeks old they just start to fail. They are in with other breeds of birds that all seem fine. I keep my feeders and waterers clean, they get plenty of sunlight and are warm enough. If I am very diligent and if I give vitamins sometimes I can save them but they just seem week. I am feeding them basic medicated chick starter that I use with my other breeds. I have tried unmedicated feed with higher protein but that didn't seem to help any. These birds hatch fine, not sticky or wet, are very perky chicks but just seem to be missing something as they grow. Any suggestions on what to try? I have used two different roos over my girls and still have the same problem.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Cycogirl]

LOL!!! I thought the SAME thing!

Most of us who breed Swedish Flower Hens are very much against crested x crested breedings because there are so many problems. I'm so sorry you are losing your birds!

^ What she said! ^

First, I want to thank everyone for their thoughtfull replies, people are so nice here.

I have gathered this (above) by reading this thread (well parts of it...its a long one) but I did not know this when I purchased my chicks. In fact I did not know enough to even ask. Of course like everything, hindsight is 20/20 right?

I suppose I will know in time if my suspicions are correct that what I am seeing is limited to the three potentially vaulted skull chicks (now about probably around 14 weeks old) or something else.

 

[Melabella]

My new SFH chicks at 9 days old! Love the little guys!

 

[TxFlowers]

I am looking for some guidance with my SFH here. I bought my first ones from two separate people last spring, raised them and have been doing lots of hatching this year. What I find is that when they are around 4 weeks old they just start to fail. They are in with other breeds of birds that all seem fine. I keep my feeders and waterers clean, they get plenty of sunlight and are warm enough. If I am very diligent and if I give vitamins sometimes I can save them but they just seem week. I am feeding them basic medicated chick starter that I use with my other breeds. I have tried unmedicated feed with higher protein but that didn't seem to help any. These birds hatch fine, not sticky or wet, are very perky chicks but just seem to be missing something as they grow. Any suggestions on what to try? I have used two different roos over my girls and still have the same problem.

Thanks for the help!

Very strange. I hope someone has some ideas. Do you have any other breeds of chicks with these for comparison on their progress? When you switched from medicated feed to non, was it same brand? I feed a 20% non medicated starter from Tractor Supply ( Dumor brand ) they have done well on it. I have also fermented some of my feed use that off an on as well. Fermented feed has better digestibility and more nutrients in it than same feed not fermented. Maybe you can try that to help give them a little more help. If giving them vitamins helps them, makes you wonder if the reason is nutritional and I would consider switching feed brands. Offer them chopped fruits/veggies as soon as they can eat it. I have read of show people feeding raw hamburger meat. Not a cheap diet of course but it would be interesting if you fed them differently and they stopped having this problem. I hope you get it figured out!

 

[ki4got]

I am looking for some guidance with my SFH here. I bought my first ones from two separate people last spring, raised them and have been doing lots of hatching this year. What I find is that when they are around 4 weeks old they just start to fail. They are in with other breeds of birds that all seem fine. I keep my feeders and waterers clean, they get plenty of sunlight and are warm enough. If I am very diligent and if I give vitamins sometimes I can save them but they just seem week. I am feeding them basic medicated chick starter that I use with my other breeds. I have tried unmedicated feed with higher protein but that didn't seem to help any. These birds hatch fine, not sticky or wet, are very perky chicks but just seem to be missing something as they grow. Any suggestions on what to try? I have used two different roos over my girls and still have the same problem.

Thanks for the help!

sfh seem to be especially sensitive to vitamin b deficiencies. medicated chick feed contains amprollium, which is a thiamine blocker.

you might try supplementing their water with liquid vitamins (poly-vi-sol for infants without the added iron works well). some people have found that fermenting their feed also works wonders for the sfh. I've used fermented and regular feed both without issues, but then most of my chicks go out onto grass ASAP, usually under 3 weeks old, and more than likely with a broody, but not always.

I would look first, at the feed you are using. I use the 20% chick crumbles from TSC or the 20% meat bird maker mash from southern states. I've tried higher and lower protein feeds, but not as successfully as with these ones.

many people also supplement their birds with raw chopped liver and other meat sources, if they're not able to free range and hunt for bugs. I do when I find it on sale, but with a dog eating raw, he gets first pick of what's available. (tho when he's not hungry the chickens go nuts over his breakfast).