Swedish Flower Hen
Gallus gallus domesticus
✨ Fait Amusant
DNA analysis of Swedish Flower Hens found that individual birds within the breed differ genetically from each other as much as they differ from completely unrelated chicken breeds — a result of over a thousand years without any standardised selective breeding. This extraordinary genetic diversity makes the Blommehöna one of the most genetically valuable conservation breeds in all of Europe.
Sweden's rarest and most visually striking native chicken breed, a landrace from the Skåne (Scania) region of southern Sweden that nearly vanished in the 1980s with fewer than 500 birds remaining. The Blommehöna (Flower Hen) is named for its unique plumage — every feather ends in a pale cream or white spangle resembling a small flower, giving the bird a spotted, blossoming appearance regardless of the base colour. Plumage varies wildly across individuals, reflecting a diverse landrace heritage with no enforced colour standard. Saved by Swedish conservation breeders and now recognised by the Scandinavian Poultry Standard and listed in the FAO's DAD-IS database.
🏷️ Race
Skånsk Blommehöna (Swedish Flower Hen)
💭 Tempérament
Active, alert, independent, calm, excellent forager, cold-hardy
📏 Taille
Medium (2.3-3.2 kg)
⏳ Espérance de vie
5-8 years
🎨 Couleurs
Extremely variable — mottled in many base colours (black, blue, red, yellow); every feather tipped with a white 'flower' spangle
🌍 Origine
Sweden — Skåne (Scania) region; ancient landrace; conservation programme from 1980s
🏠 Habitat
Free-range; adapted to Scandinavian climate and short northern summers
🍽️ Alimentation
Layer pellets; exceptional self-sufficient forager
🎯 Usage
Dual Purpose
🥚 Couleur des œufs
Cream
👑 Type de crête
Single
🏅 Classe EE
Large Fowl