Swedish Flower Hen Thread

[puglady]

Definitely a Legbar. GFF has a history (at least with many of my shipments) of using Legbar boys as packing peanuts which is kind of ironic since my order of Legbars earlier this year had SFHs as packing peanuts. I told them my preference for extras was any Cemani that needed re-homing.

Definitely CL roos DCchicken. Pretty ones so far too! I've got some CL pullets and roos myself. Of course I also have SFHs

that are just coming of age. With the days short I don't expect eggs until Feb or so though. Haven't seen KYT on here in a long while.....

 

[redhen689]

I have a question about earlobe color.
What color are your SFH's ear lobes?
I noticed last week that one of my roos has white ear lobes and the other has red.
Of the 3 hens, one has white, 2 have red.
Is this unusual? I have kept various breeds of chickens for about 15 years now, and this is the first time I've had chickens with white ear lobes.

 

[Bernie56]

I have a question about earlobe color.
What color are your SFH's ear lobes?
I noticed last week that one of my roos has white ear lobes and the other has red.
Of the 3 hens, one has white, 2 have red.
Is this unusual? I have kept various breeds of chickens for about 15 years now, and this is the first time I've had chickens with white ear lobes.

I have had both red and white earlobes in my SFHs. I think white earlobes are generally more common in Mediterranean breeds. Another aspect of the genetic diversity in SFHs.

 

[redhen689]

Thanks for your response. I like the fact that even though I bought all of my hatching eggs from the same seller, there still seems to be quite a bit of diversity in the 5 chickens that I have.

 

[ki4got]

I have a question about earlobe color.
What color are your SFH's ear lobes?
I noticed last week that one of my roos has white ear lobes and the other has red.
Of the 3 hens, one has white, 2 have red.
Is this unusual? I have kept various breeds of chickens for about 15 years now, and this is the first time I've had chickens with white ear lobes.

typically white earlobes denote white eggs, red denotes brown tinted eggs (various shades of brown, light to dark) personally I prefer the red earlobes, then again that's all I've got right now LOL

the dorking is one of the few breeds that's supposed to have a red earlobe but lay white egg. most dorkings tho have a 'white wash' to their earlobes, making it appear a bit pinkish.

 

[SunnySkies]

My white roo has white, red roo has red. Haven't really looked at the younger boys or the girls. I'll have to. I'm currently getting a tan egg and and a white egg, and I know who is doing what, so I can report back.

I have 4 roos in my group and they seem to get along. The younger boys know their place.

 

[OHfarmerswife]

Yes, it works.  I have multiple roosters in my laying flock.  The order sorts out with some skirmishing but nothing too serious that I have observed.  

However, if you intend to breed specific breeds the pullets/hens must be separated from other rooster breeds for 3-4 weeks.  The reason for this is that the male's sperm can survive in the female for 3-4 weeks after mounting.   I f you do not do the separation, you may get some surprises when you hatch chicks.    

Thanks Hapless. My pullets aren't old enough to breed yet, they are only 3months old & my roo is 4 months. Didn't realize he would be ready to begin to breed.

 

[HaplessRunner]

Thanks Hapless. My pullets aren't old enough to breed yet, they are only 3months old & my roo is 4 months. Didn't realize he would be ready to begin to breed.

The male chicken matures sexually a long time before the pullets do. The young rooster will chase the mature hens before chasing immature pullets. The key for the rooster is observing the red comb and wattles on the hen/pullet. If they are not red they are certainly not ready for sexual activity and most roosters will ignore the "non-reddened" pullets (unless there is no mature females around).

 

[redhen689]

Both of these have white (or white with red veining) ear lobes.

 

[Bernie56]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. May your day be blessed!