The temperament of a Swedish flower hen rooster can vary depending on the specific breed. However, generally speaking, these chickens tend to be quite docile, friendly, and easy to handle. They are a dual-purpose breed, meaning they are good layers of eggs as well as providing meat. Understanding their temperament and personality traits can help chicken keepers better care for these beautiful birds.
Background on Swedish Flower Hens
The Swedish flower hen originated as a landrace breed in Sweden and was admitted to the Swedish Standard in 1902. They get their name from the unique pattern on their feathers which resembles a floral motif. They come in a variety of color variations including black, blue, wheaten, silver, golden, and porcelain. This gives them a very ornamental appearance.
These chickens are a lightweight breed, with hens weighing 4-5 lbs and roosters weighing 5-6 lbs. They are an active forager when allowed to free range, and do well in both confinement or free range setups. Their small size makes them ideal for backyard flocks or small farms.
As a dual-purpose breed, Swedish flower hens are excellent layers of medium sized cream or tinted eggs. They are also valued for their meat. Their smaller size lends itself to being an ideal bird for the table. As a heritage breed, they are naturally mating and going broody. The hens are dedicated mothers who will brood and care for their young.
Temperament of Roosters
Swedish flower roosters tend to have a docile, friendly temperament. They are not typically aggressive or noisy birds. Here are some of the notable temperament traits of the roosters:
- Calm and peaceful – They are not overly excitable and don’t startle easily.
- Non-aggressive – They rarely show aggressive tendencies towards flockmates or human caretakers.
- Not flighty – They tend to be grounded birds who don’t take flight unnecessarily.
- Self-assured – They go about their business in a confident manner.
- Curious and engaging – They will follow their caretakers looking for treats and attention.
- Vigilant – They keep watch over their flock while free ranging.
- Reliable flock manager – As head rooster they efficiently manage mating duties and oversee flock safety.
Their calm and peaceful nature means they get along well with flockmates and integrate newcomers amiably. They are attentive to the hens but not aggressive or overly zealous in their mating behaviors.
Their mellow temperament also extends to human caretakers. They are approachable birds that enjoy human interaction. They will eat treats from your hand and follow you looking for attention. Their non-aggressive and non-flighty nature makes them easy to handle as well.
Temperament of Hens
The Swedish flower hens exhibit a gentle, friendly temperament much like the roosters. Here are some of the notable temperament traits of the hens:
- Docile – They have a very calm and tame nature.
- Affectionate – They bond closely with their caretakers.
- Curious – They actively explore their surroundings.
- Active foragers – They love to roam and forage when free ranged.
- Broody – The hens readily go broody and make devoted mothers.
- Non-aggressive – They rarely bully or peck at other chickens.
- Tolerant – They integrate well with newcomers to the flock.
- Cold hardy – They adapt well to colder northern climates.
As backyard chickens, the hens tend to be very tame and docile. They are comfortable around people and will follow their caretakers closely. Their affectionate nature means they enjoy being held and petted. Hand feeding them treats helps strengthen the bond with their keepers.
They love to roam and forage when allowed to free range. This curious and active nature gives them plenty of exercise. But they aren’t overly flighty or excitable and are easy to keep contained in a run when needed.
As a broody and nurturing breed, the hens take enthusiastically to motherhood. They will diligently sit on a nest of eggs and rarely abandon their maternal duties. Once the chicks hatch, the mothers are very protective and attentive. They will fiercely defend their young from any perceived dangers.
Within the flock, they tend to get along well with other chickens. Their tolerant attitude helps minimize squabbling. The roosters are not overly zealous in their mating behaviors which prevents the hens from becoming stressed.
Interacting Safely with Roosters
Despite their generally calm temperament, some common sense precautions should still be used when interacting with Swedish flower roosters.
- Avoid startling roosters as they may react defensively if frightened suddenly.
- Don’t turn your back on a rooster or run away as this can elicit a chase response.
- Monitor for any signs of aggression such as pecking, spurring, or charging and correct unwanted behaviors.
- Supervise children and teach them proper etiquette when in the coop or yard.
- Use a crook or rake when moving roosters to maintain a safe distance.
- Carry a barrier like a basket lid when entering the coop so you can block unwanted advances.
Keep in mind that all roosters have spurs on their legs that are used for defensive purposes and mating. So respect their personal space and move slowly and calmly around them. Any aggressive behaviors should be deterred early and not tolerated.
But overall, Swedish flower roosters have an ideal temperament for flock managers. Their peaceful nature means they can be kept harmoniously even in urban and suburban backyards when proper handling methods are followed.
General Care and Management
Caring for Swedish flower chickens and managing their temperaments successfully does require meeting their basic needs of nutrition, housing, health, and safety. Here are some tips:
- Provide a high quality feed appropriate for the bird’s age and stage of production.
- Give access to fresh water at all times to avoid issues like stress or aggression over resources.
- Allow for natural behaviors like scratching, dust bathing, roosting, and foraging.
- Have adequate perch space and clean bedding in the coop.
- Maintain biosecurity to prevent introduction of diseases.
- Check for parasites and treat as needed.
- Trim feathers and spurs if needed to prevent injuries.
- Separate overly aggressive individuals if needed to restore flock harmony.
Making sure these active chickens get adequate outdoor time is also important. Free ranging allows them to indulge their natural behaviors which helps manage their overall health and temperament.
Proper socialization at a young age makes a big difference as well. Handling chicks frequently, talking softly around them, and hand feeding as juveniles encourages good bonding to their caretakers.
Signs of Good Temperament
When you go to select Swedish flower chickens, look for birds exhibiting signs of good temperament:
- Active and alert without being flighty
- Curious about their surroundings
- Comfortable being handled
- Non-aggressive responses to flockmates
- No fearful reactions or withdrawing from contact
- Normal, healthy feathering
- No signs of bullying such as bare backs
- Good body condition and bright eyes
Avoid any birds that seem fearful, aggressive, or unhealthy. Also take note of how the entire flock interacts. Happy, healthy chickens that are at ease with people indicate a good breeder.
Tips for Success
Here are some top tips for successfully keeping Swedish flower chickens and enjoying their ideal temperaments:
- Handle chicks frequently so they become accustomed to human contact.
- Provide ample space and range time to minimize stress.
- Monitor for any bullying behaviors and remove aggressive birds.
- Deter unwanted rooster behaviors like charging early on.
- Discourage hens from going broody if you don’t want to breed.
- Keep coops clean and reduce ammonia buildup which can irritate birds.
- Feed a quality diet appropriate for the season and the bird’s age.
- Make gradual introductions of new birds to the flock.
- Collect eggs regularly so hens don’t go broody from frequent egg laying.
With their lovely ornamental plumage and gentle dispositions, Swedish flower chickens can be a real joy to keep. Following these tips will help ensure your birds maintain their naturally calm and friendly temperaments.
Conclusion
Swedish flower chickens have much to offer backyard flocks with their laidback and affable temperaments. Roosters exhibit a reliable and vigilant nature without being overly aggressive. Hens are calm and broody mothers who become very tame and affectionate with their keepers. Providing a low stress and enriched environment allows these chickens to thrive and display their ideal temperaments. With proper handling and care, Swedish flower chickens make excellent additions to both rural farms and urban coops.
