Welcome back to Cluck It All Farms, where we celebrate rare and remarkable chicken breeds! Today, we're talking about a tiny but mighty heritage breed—the Ölandsk Dwarf Chicken.
These little guys may be small, but they’ve got a BIG personality and an even bigger history. Whether you're a seasoned chicken keeper or just love unique breeds, the Ölandsk Dwarf is one bird you need to know about.
A Tiny Chicken with a Big History
These chickens have been strutting around the Swedish island of Öland since at least the 1600s. They probably came from English garden hens with roots tracing all the way back to Java—so yeah, they’re basically world travelers.
For generations, Öland farmers kept them because they were tough, scrappy, and great egg layers. But as modern breeds took over, these little chickens nearly disappeared. Luckily, a few dedicated breeders stepped in just in time.
Now, they’re part of Sweden’s Gene Bank Program, which helps protect rare chicken breeds like them from disappearing.
Meet the Two Ölandsk Strains
There are two types of Ölandsk Dwarf Chickens, and both are adorable.
🐓 The Petgärde Strain – Found by Johnny Andersson in the 1980s after he remembered his grandpa's tiny "spitehens."
🐓 The Asklunda Strain – Traced back to Göte Franzén, who found chickens matching the ones he grew up with. These are a tad bigger and fluffier than the Petgärde birds.
What Do They Look Like?
These chickens might be small, but they stand out!
✔ Size: Roosters: 1.3–2.2 lbs | Hens: 1.1–1.8 lbs
✔ Legs: Smooth or lightly feathered, four toes, pale or whitish in color
✔ Comb & Earlobes: Usually single comb, but some have rose combs; red earlobes with white/blue mixes
✔ Plumage: A mix of brown, black, and white, often with white feather tips
✔ Eggs: About 130 per year, ranging from bone white to beige
They’re not just pretty—they’re tough, adaptable, and great foragers.
Broody, Bold & Full of Personality
Thinking about adding Ölandsk Dwarf Chickens to your flock? Get ready for some serious mother hens.
🐣 Half of these hens go broody—and honestly, if you give them the chance, almost all of them will try.
💡 They’re curious, clever, and love to forage—perfect for free-ranging.
🌿 Tough as nails when it comes to health. They don’t need a lot of pampering!
Preserving a Swedish Treasure
Ölandsk Dwarf Chickens are part of Sweden’s Gene Bank Program, which protects rare and historic breeds from extinction. Maintaining their genetic diversity is crucial—not just for breed conservation but for sustainable agriculture as a whole.
How You Can Help:
✔ Support responsible breeders who participate in conservation efforts.
✔ Breed responsibly—keep them true to their dwarf status (roosters should not exceed 2.2 lbs!).
✔ Spread the word—the more people know about these pint-sized powerhouses, the better their chances of survival!
Why We Love Ölandsk Dwarf Chickens
✔ Small but mighty—feisty little birds with tons of character.
✔ Hardy & low-maintenance—great for free-ranging and small farms.
✔ Great layers for their size—130 eggs per year? Not bad for a tiny hen!
✔ Living history—you’re literally keeping a centuries-old breed alive.
Adding Ölandsk Dwarf Chickens to your flock means embracing history, sustainability, and a whole lot of personality. Could they be the perfect breed for you?
Don’t wait too long—these little birds go fast! 👉 Shop hatching eggs & chicks now!
