Swedish Flower Hen Thread

[tcmstalcup]

. So far babies are thriving in hot and dry west texas

My babies refuse to pose and I am terrible at taking pics but we think they are sooooo pretty

 

[SunnySkies]

So is it a genetic problem or are they just difficult to hatch. I am on the verge of giving up on them.

I think they are just difficult to hatch. When I had no luck hatching them at my house (despite much success hatching a lot of other birds), we shipped some to another local BYCer with a different type of incubator and lots and lots of experience. She hasn't gotten many to hatch either; I think she got a grand total of 4. She wondered if they were like Polish..just super hard to hatch.

 

[KYTinpusher]

. So far babies are thriving in hot and dry west texas

My babies refuse to pose and I am terrible at taking pics but we think they are sooooo pretty

So pretty! Are there 4 total? I see 3 roos and a pullet. Are they all un-crested?

 

[redwood]

So besides dry hatching is there anything else we can do to hatch these chicks? Out of 4 dozen eggs I've had 1 chick pip. I have yet to hatch one.

 

[KYTinpusher]

So besides dry hatching is there anything else we can do to hatch these chicks? Out of 4 dozen eggs I've had 1 chick pip. I have yet to hatch one.

Can you find eggs close to you so they don't have to be shipped? That would be your best bet.

 

[redwood]

Can you find eggs close to you so they don't have to be shipped? That would be your best bet.

they are my eggs from my flock!

 

[ki4got]

Quote: swedes seem to like higher meat-based protein too, so maybe the problem is in the feed, not the eggs...

several people use fermented feed and supplement with chopped liver and other meat sources. maybe that might be worth a try. it seems that even as chicks, they seem to need more of specific vitamins than others usually do, including the B vitamins, if I remember correctly (Bulldogma? hop in here and correct me if i'm wrong?)

I haven't had mature sfh until recently, but they've been free ranging until VERY recently, and are on strike now that they're penned. all the eggs I've hatched have been (mostly) Bulldogma's...

 

[redwood]

I would definitely like to here more about that.

 

[KYTinpusher]

I switched to Flockraiser which is higher in protein than the Layena. I also add vitamins to one of their waterers at least a couple of times a week. They get mealworms once or twice a week, too. I think the extra vitamins and protein helps. Mine are out free-ranging in a fenced area everyday.

 

[tcmstalcup]

So pretty! Are there 4 total? I see 3 roos and a pullet. Are they all un-crested?

I have 6 total not everybody was cooperating for pictures. I think I have 3 roos and 3 pullets. None are crested. We think they are soo pretty.