Öländsk Dvärghöna
Öländsk Dvärghöna, also written Olandsk Dvarghona, is a small Swedish landrace chicken from the Baltic island of Öland. The name means Öland dwarf hen, although both hens and cocks are included. It is a true bantam type rather than a miniaturized show version of a larger breed. Birds are compact, alert, clean-legged and usually single-combed, with varied farmyard plumage rather than one fixed exhibition color. The breed survived through a small number of local flocks and is associated with Swedish native poultry conservation.
Keepers value Öland dwarf chickens for efficient foraging, lively temperaments and eggs that are useful for a small bird, not for meat yield. They cope well with cold Scandinavian weather when housing is dry and windproof, but their size makes hawks, cats and other predators a serious concern. Covered runs or supervised free range are common. Breeding programs try to maintain the landrace's genetic breadth, so choosing unrelated stock and avoiding selection only for fashionable colors matters more than producing a uniform-looking flock.
Colors: Barred, Birchen, Black, Blue, Brown, Buff, Columbian, Crele, Cuckoo, Duckwing, Gold, Gold Laced, Laced, Lavender, Mille Fleur, Mottled, Partridge, Penciled, Porcelain, Red, Silver, Silver Laced, Spangled, Splash, Wheaten, White
