Quick Facts

🌍 Origin: Sweden
🧬 Breed Type: Dual-purpose (heritage laying strain)
❄️ Cold Hardiness: Exceptional — developed for Scandinavian winters
🥚 Egg Production: ~200–250 eggs per year (often higher with good management)
🎨 Egg Color: Cream to light brown
📏 Egg Size: Medium
⏳ Laying Pattern: Reliable, year-round layers (noted for winter laying)
🧠 Temperament: Intelligent, alert, confident
🌿 Foraging Ability: Excellent — highly active and resourceful foragers
🪺 Broodiness: Low to moderate
✨ Appearance: Predominantly black plumage with possible silver leakage or mulberry comb expression
🌍 Rarity: Very rare outside Scandinavia and specialized breeding programs

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About the Svarthöna

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The Svarthöna, also known as the Swedish Black Hen, is a rare Scandinavian landrace breed originating in Sweden and descended from the Indonesian Ayam Cemani, which gives it its black hyperpigmentation. It was developed through centuries of natural selection in harsh northern climates near the Arctic Circle, where only the most resilient, efficient birds survived. As a result, the Svarthöna is exceptionally cold-hardy and known for reliable egg production even during long, dark winters.

Unlike modern commercial layers bred for short-term productivity, Svarthönas are robust, long-lived birds with strong immune systems and excellent adaptability. They tolerate extreme cold with ease and are well known for continuing to lay when many other breeds shut down for the winter. Their tight feathering, small combs, and efficient metabolism make them ideally suited to northern environments.

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Visually, Svarthönas are striking and unmistakable. Most birds display predominantly black plumage, often with a green sheen, while some lines show historical silver leakage or mulberry pigmentation in the comb and wattles. Their primitive, landrace appearance reflects functional genetics rather than ornamental selection.

Temperament-wise, Svarthönas are intelligent, confident, and highly aware of their surroundings. They are not ornamental lap birds, but purposeful, capable chickens with strong survival instincts. Their exceptional foraging ability makes them particularly well-suited to free-range and pasture-based systems, where they actively contribute to flock health and efficiency.

For keepers seeking a cold-hardy, productive, and genetically resilient breed with true landrace character, the Svarthöna stands out as one of the most capable winter layers in the world.

 

Svarthöna Breed Standard & Genetic Integrity

 

Breed Overview

The Svarthöna is a historic Swedish landrace laying breed valued for cold resilience, genetic toughness, and functional productivity. True Svarthönas are identified by overall type, pigmentation, posture, and performance, rather than strict uniformity of color.

 

Head, Eyes & Comb

• Eyes: Dark brown to black, alert and expressive

• Comb: Small single or rose-type comb; compact and cold-resistant

• Beak: Dark horn to black; slightly curved with a strong base

• Face: Dark-skinned, smooth, and refined

Large, floppy combs, pale beaks, or light eyes are considered deviations from ideal type.

 

Body Type & Posture

• Frame: Medium-sized, compact, and efficient

• Posture: Moderately upright, balanced, and alert

• Bone: Fine-to-medium, resilient rather than heavy

• Tail: Moderately carried, well-feathered, functional rather than exaggerated

Roosters:

• More upright stance with pronounced confidence

• Strong neck and shoulder development

• Watchful and protective without excessive aggression

Hens:

• Slightly lower, efficient carriage

• Body depth emphasizing endurance and laying capacity

• Tight, well-maintained feathering

 

Plumage & Color Genetics

Svarthönas are predominantly black, though some genetic variation exists due to their landrace origins.

Acceptable expressions include:

• Solid black with green sheen

• Minor silver leakage in hackles or saddle feathers

• Mulberry pigmentation in combs and wattles

Complete uniformity is not historically accurate; however, birds should maintain a predominantly dark phenotype with strong pigmentation. Excessive white feathering or washed-out coloration is undesirable.

 

Temperament & Behavior

• Disposition: Intelligent, alert, confident

• Flock Behavior: Assertive without unnecessary aggression

• Foraging Drive: Very high; extremely active and resourceful

Correct Svarthönas are engaged, hardy, and environmentally responsive.

 

Functional Breed Traits

• Egg Color: Cream to light brown

• Egg Size: Medium

• Production Style: Reliable, steady layers with notable winter output

• Cold Hardiness: Exceptional; developed for Scandinavian climates

 

Undesirable Traits

The following traits are actively selected against:

• Pale eyes or weak pigmentation

• Large, floppy combs prone to frostbite

• Excessive white or diluted feathering

• Poor winter performance or low vitality

• Nervous, panicky, or unstable temperament

• Structural weakness or poor feather condition

 

Breeding Standards

Selection is based on:

• Strong dark pigmentation and correct head traits

• Compact, cold-adapted body structure

• High winter productivity and endurance

• Temperament stability and strong foraging ability

• Proven health, vigor, and long-term performance

 

❤️ Why You’ll Love Svarthönas

• Winter champions – exceptional cold hardiness and winter laying

• Tough & healthy – resilient landrace birds with strong vitality

• Elite foragers – highly active, efficient, and self-sufficient

• Primitive & impressive – bold black birds with true Scandinavian grit