The Svart Hona (Swedish Black Hen) Thread!

[gapey]

I had a Svart roo do literally the exact same thing. One day he just decided that he had it out for boots, dark colored boots specifically. It lasted about a week and then he stopped. We also had a broody hatch chicks at the same time the behavior started, so I thought he was either just temporarily stressed or being protective. I made it a point to face him when he went for my boots and had other family members do the same. Never kick back or turn and run. Just face them and stand your ground. If you can grab them and hold them still for a while, do that for a bit and they usually settle down.

That's exactly what I did the 3rd or so time he did it. I never acted afraid of him. He just went after my boots. Didn't scare me. I kind of kicked him off but not too hard one of the times but the other day was able to nab him and I carried him around for a while. He hasn't done it again since then. I hope it is a phase that passes. It's the first time I've had a roo come after me.

 

[campingshaws]

Shortstack finally hatched! These are Pancake's babies: Maple, Buttermilk, and Shortstack.

 

[campingshaws]

 

[Zoomie]

Congratulations! Oh how very cute... Lovely little chicks!

I'm glad someone brought up that breeding for pure black is a goal and not totally assured with this breed... that we have a ways to go. I've seen that too: a chicken that is *mostly* black, but has a white feather on each wing, or a pink toe etc. Also that is interesting to learn that the SH has less of the fibromelanistic traits! I have to say though I really like them and I enjoy the challenge.

 

[kaywould]

How do these pictures compare with tongue color you all are getting. Light gray is the best I've ever seen for tongue and back of the mouth.

 

[Kyanite]

I added three Svart Hona chicks to my home yesterday. They are my first. Two do have pink toes, or a clear nail but the third is all black. It's not huge to me as they're more for the personality, cold hardiness and novelty. Although I'm sure I'll be tempted to breed in time. LOL For now, I'm just really excited to have have them and be further feeding my Swedish chicken obsession.

 

[birds4kids]

I ordered hatching eggs that will be here in a few days, going to trust a broody silkie with them. Will post pics once they hatch. I can't keep cockerels so this is just for the novelty, wont be trying to sell or perfect the breed.

Kids are excited, eggs hatching makes them more excited than the day the puppy came home.....

 

[birdman55]

I would say that is good.....dark grey would be better....breed numbers for this season and cull all that don't have the traits you want at the end of the season...that's all you can do....none of my svart honas have black mouths....when I first started I was so mad at myself bc they weren't coming out all black....don't give up but don't listen or believe people when they say they have all black birds....I hatch at least 30-50 of the svart honas a week...keep focusing on your own flock and bettering your own flock and you will do great. don't listen to people wheather it be good/bad...just do you...










out of all the birds I grew last year these are the keeper roosters....and even out of this batch I would say only 2-3 are good enough to say "breeder"....and as you can see my birds are dark.....I would say black but...that's a hole nother topic that I'm very touchy about.... the colored out ones are pay lay hmong chickens....and they are fibro birds as well.....
hope this helps
also remember the numbers I hatch to get this quality of stock.....98% of people wont do this...we wont even get on the topic of being able to look at a bird and then tell the customer where the bird came from....98% of people don't even do this simple step...they just say yeah it hatched out of the ewe crazy line or the gff line....

 

[Zoomie]

@birdman55 I appreciate your tips and ideas. It really gives me hope that some day, I'll be very proud of how far my birds have come. Thanks!

 

[birdman55]

also that is your line now....not ewe crazy or gff.....the lineage are those....keep good records of what bird comes from what bird...by leg numbers and wing bands....and you will be ahead of just about everyone...I know where every bird came from....egg or bird....I can tell you who is dad to whom and so forth....the more you keep record wise the better you look as a breeder and the more credible in my eyes you are....nobody can say they can get the birds direct from ewe crazy now anyways...he sold his flock to I believe a guy from florida....