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Svart Hona
ChickenRare breedThe Svart Höna, or Swedish Black Hen, is a rare fibromelanistic breed — a gene turns everything black, from feathers and skin to bones, comb and organs. Brought to Sweden from Mozambique in the 1800s but ultimately of Indonesian origin, a small landrace adapted to the cold Scandinavian border country over generations. Friendly and attention-seeking, these small birds will fly to your shoulder or settle in your lap for treats, and hens lay surprisingly well — light eggs right through winter. Strikingly beautiful, hardy and personable, but genuinely scarce.
Beginner friendly
Quiet breed
Good with kids
Cold hardy
Heat tolerant
Broody
Good to know
- Fibromelanistic — black feathers, skin, bones and comb
- Very friendly and people-oriented
- Lays cream/white eggs, even in winter
- Extremely rare (a few hundred remain in Sweden)
Egg colorCream
Egg production200–250 / year
Weight4–5 lb
TemperamentDocile
BroodinessFrequent
ClimateCold hardy, Heat tolerant
PurposeEggs, Show
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