Cuckoo! The day is dawning for chickens as a hobby in Sweden.
Since 2021, the number of facilities with hobby chickens has increased every year and there are now almost 20,000 in Sweden.
– Perhaps we have gained a greater sense of growing our own food, says Jirka Bärnlund-Fors, chairman of the Swedish Lanthönsklubben.
Clara Sannö and her partner had always talked about having chickens when they moved out into the country. When they finally bought a villa just outside Skövde, there was already a henhouse on the property. That settled the matter – and now five hens are running around in the newly renovated hen house.
The hens are new and still too small to lay eggs, but Clara has already received possession of the birds.
– They are great fun to watch. This week we have sat out here for an hour every day and just looked at them because they are so fascinating, says Clara Sannö.
Growing hobby
In 2021, a requirement was introduced that chicken flocks must be registered with the Swedish Agricultural Agency, regardless of how many chickens are included in the flock. In the first year, there were 15,091 registered establishments with hens in the hobby category. The number has since risen every year and is now up to 19,772.
Jirka Bärnlund-Fors is chairman of the Swedish Lanthönsklubben and believes that people have opened their eyes to the fact that hens can provide both eggs and meat.
– We have perhaps gained a greater sense of growing our own food. You want to have some control over what you put into yourself and your children and where it comes from. There have been several scandals in recent years and I think that has increased interest in keeping a small flock of chickens at home, he says.
Hens in town
The rules from the Swedish Agency for Agriculture regarding acquiring hobby chickens are not very strict. But in many municipalities you need a permit to keep chickens and Jirka Bärnlund-Fors recommends that the first thing you do before getting chickens is to contact the municipality where you live.
The hen needs some space to move around. but you don’t have to live in the country. It is fine to have chickens in the backyard in densely built-up areas. but then you should think a little extra about certain things.
– Make sure to have a henhouse that is extra easy to clean and to fertilize more often and store manure in an airtight container so you don’t spread odors. And maybe don’t feed too liberally so mice and small birds find it because it will be a buffet for them, says Jirka Bärnlund-Fors.
Start small
Clara Sannö is yet another relatively new chicken owner, but she too has a couple of tips for beginners.
– Start small, I think. Reasonable number of chickens as well. And from what I understand, almost anything can become a henhouse, so it’s just a matter of driving, she says.