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Swedish Black Hen Chicken Breed Info

Modified: Feb 6, 2023 by Phil · This post may contain affiliate links ·

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.

An adorable Swedish Black stands on a moss-covered rock.
Image by Wikipedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

They are good producers of brown eggs but are not generally used for meat.

Jump to:
  • Swedish Black Hen Chicken Breed Quick Info
  • Origins of the Swedish Black Hen Chicken
  • Some Things to Know About the Swedish Black Hen Chicken
  • How Easy is it to Keep Swedish Black Hen Chickens?
  • Special Care and Considerations for Swedish Black Hen Chickens
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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

MeatNo
EggsYes
Dual PurposeNo
Swedish Black Hen Temperament:Gentle, alert
Swedish Black Hen Ability/Likelihood to Free Range:Yes

Swedish Black Hen Egg Production

Egg ColorBrown
Egg SizeMedium-Large
Estimated Number of Eggs Per Year250
Likeliness to Brood Eggs/Raise ChicksHigh

Swedish Black Hen Meat Production

Dressed Weight MaleN/A
Dressed Weight FemaleN/A

Swedish Black Hen Climate Tolerance

HeatModerate
ColdExcellent

Swedish Black Hen Age to Maturity

Number of Months to Reach Full Size6 Months
Number of Months to Start Egg Laying6 Months
Number of Weeks/Months to Reach Meat Harvest SizeN/A

Swedish Black Hen Size at Maturity

Male7 lbs.
Female5 lbs.

Origins of the Swedish Black Hen Chicken

A beauitful Swedish Black rooster near a fence.
Image source: Chicken Scratch

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.

See also  Jaerhon Chicken Breed Info

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

An adrable Swedish Black hen stands on green grass.
Image source: Chicken Scratch

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?

A big beautiful Swedish Black rooster in a backyard.
Image source: Chicken Scratch

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.

See also  Do Chickens Eat Squash Bugs? (Most Do!)

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.

Swedish Black Hen Chicken Breed Info pinterest image.

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