Whether you’re looking for a unique chicken breed to add to your flock or are curious about black chicken breeds, the Svart Hona breed is an exciting prospect. Black from head to toe, the Svart Hona breed is a true Scandinavian black beauty. The bird looks like a mythical creature imagined in a fantasy novel.
The Svart Hona, aka the Swedish Black Hen, is a dark-colored chicken breed from Sweden. It exhibits fibomelanosis, making it dark-colored both inside and out.
In this breed guide, we shall explore the Svart Hona chicken breed, including its distinguishing features and characteristics. But first, what is the Swedish Black Hen?
Svart Hona Chicken: Background and History
In the Swedish language, the words Svart Hona translate to “black female.” Svarthöna in Swedish translates to “black hen.” In Icelandic, Svarthöna translates to “black rooster.” Whichever way you spin it, one thing is clear; Svart Hona is a Swedish black chicken.
Before the 19th century, the Svart Hona breed was indigenous to Mozambique, the breed’s original home. The chicken breed was then exported from Africa to Sweden in the 1800s. The Swedes improved the breed and gave it its second name, the Swedish Black Hen.
In 2012, the Svart Hona chicken breed was introduced in the United States, where it exists today as a rare chicken breed.
Svart Hona Chicken: Breed Appearance
The most outstanding trait of this chicken breed is its color. As the name suggests, the Swedish Black Hen is entirely black, inside and out. Jet black is the only variety you’ll find.
Fibromelanosis is a mutation that causes black hyperpigmentation throughout the body. The gene alteration causes rapid multiplication of black pigment cells throughout the chicken’s tissues. The chickens then develop black eyes, mouths, combs, feet, flesh, wattles, skin, bones, organs, and feathers.
Upon its import to Scandinavia, the Svart Hona chicken breed had to adapt to the cold climate in Sweden. The breed developed a small yet sturdy build. As adults, hens weigh about five pounds, while cocks come in at around seven pounds.
Hens feature small, single combs with small wattles. However, some strains feature flopped combs, despite being regarded s an undesirable trait. Svart Hona cocks have similar features but in larger sizes. And due to their prominent dimensions, the wattles and combs of cocks are prone to frostbite attacks.
Svart Hona vs. Ayam Cemani Chicken Breeds
The Svart Hona is not the only black chicken in the world. Another breed that shares this jet-black appearance is the Ayam Cemani.
Native to Indonesia, the Ayam Cemani chicken breed is almost indistinguishable from the Svart Hona. Both chicken breeds are fibromelanistic, with black-colored eyes, beaks, combs, wattles, feathers, skin, bones, flesh, and feet.
Unlike the Svart Hona, which is winter tolerant, the Ayam Cemani can only survive in warm weather. Ayam Cemani chickens are also gamier than Svart Hona chickens.
Below is a table that highlights the similarities and differences between Svart Hona and Ayam Cemani chicken breeds:
| Svart Hona Chickens | Ayam Cemani Chickens | |
| Egg Color | Tinted, Creamy, White | Tinted, Creamy, White |
| Egg Size | Small to Medium | Small to Medium |
| Average Eggs Laid Per Year | 200-250 | 100-120 |
| Country of Origin | Sweden | Indonesia |
| Winter Tolerance | Yes | No |
| Year of Import (USA) | 2012/2013 | 2014/2015 |
Svart Hona Chicken: Breed Productivity
The Swedish Black Hen can offer any of three things:
- Meat
- Eggs
- Esthetics
Egg Production
Svart Hona hen is a great layer. A single hen can lay up to 250 eggs a year, which is at par with other chicken breeds. The Swedish Black Hen is a great wintertime layer. They also make great mothers with a natural inclination to incubate eggs.
Their eggs are fertile and healthy, with a viability of 98%.
Unlike other aspects of their body, the Svart Hona lays creamy or white eggs. Swedish Black Hens mature slower than other chickens. Pullets don’t start laying eggs before the 24th week.
Their eggs are edible, and their yolks are indistinguishable from your standard hens. But with a price tag of $10, it doesn’t make economic sense to scramble them for breakfast.
Meat Production
Svart Hona chickens are not particularly meaty birds. Other chicken breeds have superior meat yields. Their flesh and bones are dark colored, which is not everyone’s cup of tea. You can slaughter and eat one (it’s not toxic), but meat color is a deal breaker for most.
With cocks and hens going for $70 and $80, respectively, the Svart Hona is not an efficient breed for meat. An $8 Walmart chicken is cheaper and meatier for far less.
Ornamental Function (Esthetic Value)
Svart Hona chickens are absolute head-turners. Having a small flock can be a conversation starter at your next barbeque. Everyone will want to know more about this freak of nature.
Svart Hona chickens are excellent ornamental birds. You can sign them up for competitions or show them off at the local state fair. But since the American Poultry Association does not recognize these black birds, you’re less likely to take home any prices.
Svart Hona Chicken: Breed Temperament and Personality
When used to their environment, Svart Hona chickens are gentle creatures. Swedish Black Hens are good mothers, and they protect their chicks. Adult roosters are also vigilant birds. They will sound an alarm upon spotting a predator (fox, falcon, etc.).
Svart Hona roosters are competitive males. They often clash with other roosters over mating partners. For cohesion, it’s recommended that you keep one rooster for at least ten hens. Svart hona chickens are intelligent birds. They can be trained to pose for showmanship competitions.
They also grow fond of the people who raise them. Svart Hona chickens do follow around their guardians. They also jump and perch on the shoulders or laps of those who feed them. So if you’re looking for a parrot for your Halloween costume, you should consider a Svart Hona chicken,
The Swedish Black Hen is an agile bird. It can fly higher and run for longer than your typical chicken breed. As a result, they are excellent free-range birds. You should ensure that they have access to sufficient forage and water. They are also fond of perching.
Svart Hona Chicken: Breed Health and Care
Svart Hona chickens are hardy birds, and raring them is like caring for any other chicken breed. While Swedish Black Hens have no breed-specific ailments, they can suffer from common chicken diseases. As a precaution, you should vaccinate and treat them like any other chicken breed.
As a Scandinavian chicken breed, the Svart Hona can tolerate cold weather. However, the combs and wattles of males are susceptible to frostbite attacks. Like humans, their bodies will sacrifice the extremities (combs and wattles) to conserve heat.
Swedish Black Hens are also tolerant to warm and hot climates. However, you should provide shade or sufficient shelter to protect them from the elements. Their feathers and skin are dark, so their bodies are more likely to absorb heat than any other chicken breed. In extreme cases, sunlight could bleach their feathers.
Svart Hona chickens are excellent foragers. Ensure that you provide sufficient space with high food potential. Also, provide adequate protection from predators.
Chicks take time to mature, with pullets taking 24 weeks to start laying eggs. Chicks also take longer to emerge from their eggs after cracking the shell. The Svart Hona is a breed that requires a lot of patience.
These birds are also highly intelligent and comfortable around people. They will reward your patience with affection if you spend time with them. They’ll follow you around and even perch on your laps and shoulders.
Video Source:
Svart Hona Chicken: Acquiring High-Quality Birds
Swedish Black Hens are rare birds, and finding high-quality individuals should be your priority. That being said, the hunt will be challenging, tedious, and expensive.
Below are traits you should avoid when shopping for a new flock:
- White earlobes
- Gray skin
- White patches on beaks and toenails
- Green or gray soles
- Brown eyes
- More than five comb spikes
- Flopped combs
- Mulberrying on combs and wattles
- Gamey or leggy body build
- Pink or white oral cavity
- White feathers
Where Do I Find Svart Honas?
Often, hatcheries will list Svart Hona chickens in their catalogs. However, these hatchlings may be of lower quality. Ideally, you want to buy from a reputable farm that specializes in Svart Honas.
Below are farms that specialize in Swedish Black Hens:
- Green Fire Farms
- Black Feather Farm
- Kelly’s Irish Acres
Note: Please conduct your due diligence before doing business with any farm. Ensure that they follow and adhere to strict culling and breeding practices.
Final Thoughts
The Svart Hona can be a great addition to any flock. This Nordic black beauty is a head-turner and a conversation starter. With proper care and attention, they can grow attached to you. This breed makes excellent ornamental birds that you can showcase in competitions and state fairs.
Swedish Black Hens are vigilant fowls. They can alert you on instances of predator invasion; they can also intimidate and fight off birds of prey.
While they are excellent layers, Svart Honas are expensive. They are a rare breed of chicken; you should be willing to dig deep into your pockets to acquire some. Do your due diligence and only buy from reputable sources.
