The Swedish Black Hen is one of the more unique-looking breeds in the world. It is jet-black from head to toe! They also go by the name Svart Hona but are more commonly known as the Swedish Black Hen.
They are good producers of brown eggs but are not generally used for meat.
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Swedish Black Hen Chicken Breed Quick Info
Swedish Black Hen Chicken Description
| Swedish Black Hen Type/Size: | Standard |
| Feather Color: | Black |
| Leg Type: | Clean |
| Leg Color: | Black |
| Skin Color: | Black |
| Swedish Black Hen Ease of Raising/Keeping: | Easy |
| Swedish Black Hen Special Care Needs: | No |
| Is the Swedish Black Hen breed a common, rare, or protected breed of chicken? | Rare |
Swedish Black Hen Use
| Meat | No |
| Eggs | Yes |
| Dual Purpose | No |
| Swedish Black Hen Temperament: | Gentle, alert |
| Swedish Black Hen Ability/Likelihood to Free Range: | Yes |
Swedish Black Hen Egg Production
| Egg Color | Brown |
| Egg Size | Medium-Large |
| Estimated Number of Eggs Per Year | 250 |
| Likeliness to Brood Eggs/Raise Chicks | High |
Swedish Black Hen Meat Production
| Dressed Weight Male | N/A |
| Dressed Weight Female | N/A |
Swedish Black Hen Climate Tolerance
| Heat | Moderate |
| Cold | Excellent |
Swedish Black Hen Age to Maturity
| Number of Months to Reach Full Size | 6 Months |
| Number of Months to Start Egg Laying | 6 Months |
| Number of Weeks/Months to Reach Meat Harvest Size | N/A |
Swedish Black Hen Size at Maturity
| Male | 7 lbs. |
| Female | 5 lbs. |
Origins of the Swedish Black Hen Chicken
The Swedish Black Hen arrived in Sweden from its native country of Mozambique in the 19th century. It took many years for it to arrive in the United States.
In 2012 the breed was imported to the U.S. Today, it remains extremely rare, and few breeders breed this bird. Even in Sweden, the official count of Swedish Black Hens does not surpass 500.
Some Things to Know About the Swedish Black Hen Chicken
The Swedish Black Hen is jet-black from the inside out. This is due to a genetic condition called fibromelanosis, which causes everything – from its skin to its legs to its eyes to its beak– to be black. Even their bones are black!
They can easily be confused for the Indonesian Ayam Cemani chicken, which is also an all-black bird. The two breeds share much of their genetic material.
The Swedish Black Hen is a small, sturdy bird. They have a single comb.
If you plan to add this breed to your flock, be sure to research breeders that carry them ahead of time. They will often run out of chicks, so you may want to join their waitlist if they have one.
How Easy is it to Keep Swedish Black Hen Chickens?
These small, unique chickens are extremely hardy and well-built. They are able to easily withstand cold temperatures like those found in Sweden.
Because of their small size, they can fly better than other breeds. This means that they can perch in trees to escape predators. However, it also means that they can escape from high fences.
You may need to consider a covered run if you live in an urban or suburban area where you don’t want your flock wandering too far. These birds prefer to be in a free-range situation over confinement.
Swedish Black Hen roosters are known to be very alert and will make a lot of noise if they notice a predator like a hawk.
These birds are friendly is raised around people, and their unique look makes them excellent show birds.
Special Care and Considerations for Swedish Black Hen Chickens
As with all birds with a single comb, frostbite can be an issue. When the temperature drops, you can help to protect their comb with a bit of vaseline.
You should also be careful in the heat. Because of their black feathers and skin, they can easily absorb sunlight and overheat. Make sure your Swedish Black Hens have plenty of access to water and shade on hot days.
Other than that, they are extremely healthy and hardy birds.
