Swedish Flower Hen Thread

[KYTinpusher]

Last night after coming in the house to check on the 13 SFH eggs that were left to hatch I found my incubator UNPLUGGED! And the 3 chicks that had hatched were put in the brooder box (I had left them in the bator with the eggs as I didn't want to open it & compromise the eggs!) and the brooder was also UNPLUGGED with the 3 chicks just crying! I was LIVID- turns out my 90 yr old mother in law who is here visiting from Sweden decided to interfere- she took the chicks out & stuck them in the brooder box, not knowing it needed to be plugged in & just unplugged the bator leaving the eggs in it! Words can not even begin to express the HUGE argument that happened over this or how disgusted I am over this!!! She's been asked at least a million times to leave my animals alone, she has no idea what she is doing & she is NOT supposed to be in our bedroom at all which is where I keep the bator & brooder- for the purpose of making her leave it alone! She's done stuff like this before, but mostly caused no damage- this time she killed 13 perfectly formed SFH chicks! These were special to me because it's the first eggs from my flock- I am lucky to have the 1 SFH chick that hatched yesterday morning, & lucky she didn't kill it & the other 2 chicks by not plugging the brooder in! I opened all the eggs on the chance that some might have still been alive- all dead- just made me sick

Now all I can hope is the 7 eggs Johanna is sitting on will hatch

So sorry!!! I am sure she just wants to feel useful and didn't mean any harm, but I know it still hurts. I know it doesn't help much now, but there will be more eggs to hatch. Come on, Johanna!

 

[Spifflove]

Never count your chickens.

Really chickens are just a possession. Grandma is a real Swedish Flower. Of course its ok to be upset but one must forgive a 90 year old the same way they would forgive a 3 year old.

 

[my2boysteacher]

Anyone care to answer a SFH question for me? About what age do they start laying? We just got a 5 months old hen, and I was surprised that she is already practicing sitting in the nest box.

 

[KYTinpusher]

Anyone care to answer a SFH question for me? About what age do they start laying? We just got a 5 months old hen, and I was surprised that she is already practicing sitting in the nest box.

Most of mine started around 21 weeks, give or take a month.

 

[gardengoats11]

KYTinpusher

Since all mine are crested I assume they are from the 2nd shipment or cross between tbe 2 shipments.

 

[gardengoats11]

KYTinpusher

Since all mine are crested I assume they are from the 2nd shipment or cross between tbe 2 shipments.

 

[Bernie56]

I have 7 newly hatched chicks from Bernie56 eggs! All are light in color YEAH! WHOOT! I did not have the camera at home so tomorrow for pictures. Thank you Bernie56 for the swap this will for sure add the divercity to my flock that I was looking for. I promise pic tomorrow so do not fuss at me LOL!

So glad to hear this! Hope you get lots of pullets!

 

[rarebear]

Yes, that is my coop, home sweet home to 12 chickies. I found homes for all the boys, one where they will not be eaten. The couple belong to the a chicken group with me and have taken other chickens from me. Thanks again for all of your help.

So sorry about all the roosters, but don't give up on the SFH. They are wonderful to own. I love the coop in your avatar! Is that yours?

 

[PugBug]

Anyone care to answer a SFH question for me? About what age do they start laying? We just got a 5 months old hen, and I was surprised that she is already practicing sitting in the nest box.

Mine started between 6-7 mo old

 

[Bulldogma]

Last night after coming in the house to check on the 13 SFH eggs that were left to hatch I found my incubator UNPLUGGED! And the 3 chicks that had hatched were put in the brooder box (I had left them in the bator with the eggs as I didn't want to open it & compromise the eggs!) and the brooder was also UNPLUGGED with the 3 chicks just crying! I was LIVID- turns out my 90 yr old mother in law who is here visiting from Sweden decided to interfere- she took the chicks out & stuck them in the brooder box, not knowing it needed to be plugged in & just unplugged the bator leaving the eggs in it! Words can not even begin to express the HUGE argument that happened over this or how disgusted I am over this!!! She's been asked at least a million times to leave my animals alone, she has no idea what she is doing & she is NOT supposed to be in our bedroom at all which is where I keep the bator & brooder- for the purpose of making her leave it alone! She's done stuff like this before, but mostly caused no damage- this time she killed 13 perfectly formed SFH chicks! These were special to me because it's the first eggs from my flock- I am lucky to have the 1 SFH chick that hatched yesterday morning, & lucky she didn't kill it & the other 2 chicks by not plugging the brooder in! I opened all the eggs on the chance that some might have still been alive- all dead- just made me sick

Now all I can hope is the 7 eggs Johanna is sitting on will hatch

I'm so sorry! Relationships with in-laws can be difficult. Hang in there and hopefully you'll have a great hatch next time (ever considered mega-locks on the doors??) I'm happy some of them hatched and survived.

Yes, that is my coop, home sweet home to 12 chickies. I found homes for all the boys, one where they will not be eaten. The couple belong to the a chicken group with me and have taken other chickens from me. Thanks again for all of your help.

Glad you found a good home for the boys!