Swedish Flower Hen Thread

[Shanna79]

One of the hens about 8 months ago

 

[Shanna79]

The other hen about 6 months ago

 

[Shanna79]

I was told recently that I shouldn't breed two crested together because the crest would be too big and cover their eyes... I have since added non-crested to the flock but they are very young still. It will be awhile before I can get babies from them.

 

[2MorrowsDream]

I recently bought 6 SFH eggs. We're on day 17!!! Will candle tomorrow-- one more time before lockdown!!!

 

[Kyanite]

I recently bought 6 SFH eggs. We're on day 17!!! Will candle tomorrow-- one more time before lockdown!!!

Very exciting! I'm right there with you. I have 7 in the incubator. Pretty sure that one is a quitter, but I'm giving it a couple more days to be sure. Mine will hatch on Sat the 22nd.

 

[2MorrowsDream]

Wow! I can't wait! Pretty sure half are quitrers, but I'll know for sure tomorrow night. Let me know how yours do please. I'll post pics too.

 

[Melabella]

Quote:
Hi Shanna! Yes.. you are correct that you shouldn't breed crested hens to a crested roo. This creates the crested gene from both parents which results in an extra large crest and in some cases it could produce a vaulted skull. The heavy crest leaves the bird with limited sight vision, which could put it at a great disadvantage while free ranging. I would definitely trim any crests on the huge crested girls. You can breed the resulting offspring back to uncrested birds. Good Luck with your birds, your roo is quite handsome! MB

 

[EggSighted4Life]

The other hen about 6 months ago

Well, your birds are beautiful.

So the double crested/vaulted skull thing has already been described to you...

But aside from that... Because Swedish Flower are supposed to be a land race breed, and because they are rare still... seems like it might be worth preserving their original characteristics, while broadening the gene pool... My main reason for not breeding double crested.

And I'm almost positive crested would have bred to crested in the wild. But I'm not sure how well the double crested would have survived.

Awesome that you already have some non crested to grow out.

 

[Shanna79]

I actually did not realize how it worked with breeding two crested parents together until after I had bought my Trio.
After seeing how one of the hens cannot get around as well as the other because the crest covers her eyes I do not want to continue breeding two crested parents together.
I originally learned of this breed because I purchased a mix breed chick that was half Orpington half Swedish flower hen.
She is a beautiful bird and has a crest but looks like in Orpington with very minimal flowers.
I will do my best to continue the original characteristics of this breed.

 

[I Love Layers]

Well I'm glad I have a non-crested cock and a crested hen!
So would it be best that for all my breeders to only have crested hens and non-crested cocks?