Our domesticated chickens originate from the wild chicken genus Gallus in Southeast Asia.
Adapted to a cold climate
The Hedemora chicken was once very common in the area around Hedemora in Dalarna. Due to the cold climate there, the chicken has developed characteristics that a bird in southern Sweden does not have.
For example, it has an extra layer of down on the underside of the feathers. This under layer of down makes the plumage both dense and abundant, and the hen appears larger and more powerful than it actually is. In some cases, the down grows down the bird’s legs and makes the chicken look like it is wearing trousers.
The colour of the feathers varies, with shades of black, grey and brown. The breed is relatively heavy, with a rooster weight of around 2.5 kilograms. The Hedemora chicken is an excellent laying hen, with good parenting skills.
