The Poultry Keeper

Twigs · Joined: 10 Sep 2007 Posts: 98

Can you get your hands on any hedemora eggs? Laughing

nigel · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 7:49 pm Post subject:

Twigs · Joined: 10 Sep 2007 Posts: 98

Interesting, are they like the ones on feathersite? by that I mean all different colours? and could you give me an idea of size, are they normal size large fowl or smaller?

nigel · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 7:40 am Post subject:

HI Twigs

Here is a quick translation of the Swedish Native Poultry Society's description for the Hedemora, please bear in mind my Swedish is not brilliant and this isn't one of the breeds I've spent any time doing research on or talking to other poultry keepers so there may be some glaring errors in translation

The hedemora is the most northerly of the Genebank races, these hens have a long tradition of being given as wedding presents [literally bridal gifts] and have been found on farms in Hedemora in Dalarna for a very long time.

All genebank hedemora hens come from the village of Trollbo

They com in blue, black [often with coloured hackles and saddles] white and almost white, less commonly wild colouring and [wheaten??]. They have a characteristically rich and think down which is ascribed to their adaptation to the northerly climate. This down is almost [wool-like?] and when parted quickly fluffs back together like in silkies. The legs can be either clean or feathered and black elements in the comb, face and wattles are common. Weight hens 1.5=2.0 kg cockerels 2.0-2.5kg

They lay approximately 150 eggs per year and the average weight is 50-55g

Here are some pictures from the Swedish Native Poultry Society

Maybe the Swedish concept of genebank needs a little explaining too. To protect their native breeds the Swedes [in fact i think the Nordic countries in general] formed the genebank scheme. Whole populations of native animals were selected as the best representatives and registered. All registered birds now come from these original flocks. No new blood can enter the scheme. All people who keep registered birds are inspected by the Swedish Native Poultry Society to ensure that conditions are suitable and that genetic purity is ensured. There is no breed standard, because they did not want to encourage the breeding for looks at the cost of their utilitarian nature.

Hope this helps

Twigs · Joined: 10 Sep 2007 Posts: 98

Extremely comprehensive! and thank you very much, I think they are quite lovely birds and the Swedes seem to take their native fauna very seriously Shocked

Twigs · Joined: 10 Sep 2007 Posts: 98

Nigel, still interested in these, any news on possible hatching eggs?

nigel · Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 6:31 am Post subject:

Thread title changed to include English spelling