History |
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Svart Honas, also known as Swedish Black Hens, are an all-black landrace bird that flourished on what is now the Sweden-Norway border. And what had probably began as a tropical Indonesian import to this frigid region, eventually, adapted to the colder climate. Some sources suggest that Swedish Black Hens made their way to the Nordic countries from seamen who traveled from Mozambique in the 1800s, although explanations vary and are often vague. It's worth noting that Norway and neighboring Sweden had a complex and often bloody history but suffice to say that, for a period of time, Norway was a state within Sweden until Norway won independence in 1905.
Svarts are extremely rare, even more so than the Ayam Cemani. However, the Svart has a vastly different history and has adapted to a much colder climate over the centuries compared to the Ayam. As of 2013, there are very few known flocks in the entire United States. To this day, the birds are even extremely hard to find in Europe. A national poultry census in Sweden verified the existence of fewer than 500 Swedish Black Hens. |
Physical Appearance They are a fibromelanistic breed meaning their bones, meat, eyes, comb, legs, and feathers are solid black and is known as the "blackest breed in the world". The gene that causes fibromelanosis is a mutation that existed in Asia more than 800 years ago and made its way in chickens transported to Norway as many as 400 years ago.
The other all-black breed, the Ayam Cemani, is the close cousin to the Svart Hona. The breeds are similar, with most differences hard to spot to an untrained eye. But, Svart Honas should not be confused with its cousin. Although they are very similar in appearance, the main difference is that the Svart has a less “game fowl” appearance compared to the Ayam. |
2024 NWP chick
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The Svart is sleek and small, but they are not considered bantams. They are almost completely black although some have deep mulberry red facial skin. Their feathers shimmer with iridescent greens and purples. The roosters can weigh approximately 7 lbs., have a friendly, relaxed temperament, are alert, and take great care keeping an eye on the hens. Hens are approximately 5 lbs. and are excellent layers of off-white or cream colored eggs. For her size, the eggs are extraordinarily large and she can produce up to 200-25o a year, even maintaining production during the colder months.
These birds are excellent fliers and enjoy roosting high off the ground when given the opportunity. Because of their flight and alertness, they make great foragers which reflects the mastery that comes from the hundreds of years of free-range living enjoyed by their ancestors. However, just because these birds are excellent fliers, does not make them unfriendly nor flighty. |
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