The Swedish Black Hen, or Svart Hona, has the same fibromelanistic trait as that most coveted chicken breed from Indonesia, the Ayam Cemani. That is, virtually every physical feature outside and inside the Swedish Black Hen is the deepest black color. Some claim to see differences between the Ayam Cemani and the Swedish Black Hens –for example, the Ayam Cemani have been said to be more like gamefowl in body type– but the external differences are subtle and if they exist at all can only be discerned by a highly trained eye. Despite these physical commonalities the Swedish Black Hen has a vastly different history and has over the centuries adapted to a much colder climate than the Ayam Cemani. Also, Swedish Black Hens are even rarer than Ayam Cemani. A national poultry census in Sweden verified the existence of fewer than 500 Swedish Black Hens.

The gene that causes fibromelanosis is a mutation that existed in Asia more than 800 years ago. The gene promotes the proliferation of black pigment cells. This same mutation may have made its way in chickens transported to Norway as many as 400 years ago. (Norway and neighboring Sweden have a complex and often bloody history, but suffice to say that for a period of time Norway was a state within Sweden until Norway won independence in 1905.) A landrace of exotic black birds flourished on what is now the Sweden-Norway border, and what had probably begun as a tropical transplant to this frigid region eventually adapted to the colder climate. Some sources suggest that Swedish Black Hens made their way to the Nordic countries from seamen who traveled from Mozambique in the 1800s, although explanations vary and are often vague.

What is certain is that Swedish Black Hens are relatively small and sleek –the roosters weigh about 4 lbs.—and have a friendly, relaxed temperament. The hens lay white or cream-colored eggs. Usually the birds are almost completely black although some have deep mulberry red facial skin. Feathers can shimmer with iridescent greens and purples. These birds are capable foragers and reflect the mastery that comes from the hundreds of years of free-range living enjoyed by their ancestors. A Swedish poultry keeper told us that Black Hens are known for not suffering from frostbite on their combs. Our Swedish Black Hens have roosted in the open on windy nights as cold as 20°F without any ill effects. We have found this landrace to be hardy and easy to raise despite its rarity.

We incubate our eggs at 99.5°F and 55% humidity, typically achieving around an 80% hatch rate.

When hatching eggs from this breed, the main thing that you want to select for is pigmentation. A common issue is that chicks will hatch with pink or tan toe pads. You want to thoroughly check each chick for a black tongue, black toes and nails, and black or dark gray fluff.

The merits of each bird should be evaluated as they reach adulthood