The Silverudd’s Blue is a unique breed not currently recognised by the Southern African Show Poultry Organisation (SASPO). Despite being an established breed present in many countries and having multiple international associations dedicated to it, the main reason for this lack of recognition is that the Swedish Cultural Poultry Association, the custodians of the breed, has no standard or strict guidelines for the breed, as they are an agricultural club, not a showing club.
Developed by Swedish pastor Martin Silverudd in the 1980s, the breed was created using genetic material from Rhode Island Red, New Hampshire, and other undocumented breeds. The Cream Legbar was used to add the blue egg gene. The aim was to develop a high-producing, low-maintenance chicken with blue plumage that also provides meat. Unfortunately, Martin Silverudd passed away before he could complete it and fully stabilise the lines. Thus, the Silverudd’s Blue is an incomplete project. He left us with neither a breed standard nor a breed description. However, the breed was so sought after that it was distributed all over the world despite the variations in the offspring.
Historically, the breed has been referred to by various names such as Isbar, Isbar Blue, and Swedish Green Layer (SGRÖ). In 2016, the Swedish Cultural Poultry Association adopted the name Silverudd’s Blue to avoid confusion and honour the breed’s creator, Martin Silverudd. The blue refers to both the blue egg gene and the blue plumage colour.
This breed is primarily known for laying green eggs, although the eggs can vary from green to blue and might occasionally show spots. They are considered good layers, producing about 250 eggs per year, with weights ranging from 55 to 65 grams. As Silverudd’s Blue chickens are an incomplete project, people soon realise that not all of them carry two copies of the blue egg gene. Consequently, there is a significant international effort to conduct genetic testing on flocks and undertake selective breeding programmes, without inbreeding the narrow gene pool, to establish lines that consistently carry two copies of the blue egg gene.
Only Blue, Black, and Splash plumage is allowed. The breed’s genetic makeup is fundamentally black, with blue and splash birds resulting from dilution genes. Roosters may show Birchen (gold or silver on the neck, wings, and saddle), which is allowed, although a solid colour, particularly on the hens, is preferred. Any copper leakage is considered a serious defect. The Silverudd’s Blue has a square-shaped body. The rooster has a slightly shorter back, stands taller, and has arched tail feathers. The hen’s tail is dense and somewhat triangular. Both roosters and hens have a single comb, dark eyes, dark beak, and slate-coloured dark legs with four toes, devoid of feathers.
Silverudd’s Blue chickens are medium-sized, with roosters weighing around 2.5 kg and hens approximately 1.5 kg. They have a friendly disposition, are calm and affectionate, excellent foragers, and resistant to both weather and disease. These chickens adapt well to different environments, require minimal care, and thrive with basic outdoor conditions. They often lay eggs year-round with additional warmth and light during harsh weather conditions.
For the breed to gain recognition by SASPO, multiple breeders will need to exhibit it successfully at shows over several years.
We are part of a small group of breeders whose aim is to clean the genetic lines of the Silverudd’s Blue in South Africa. We are genetically testing our flocks to ensure that we produce lines that are locked on two blue egg genes. We are working towards creating a South African standard for the breed and showing the breed to get it recognised by SASPO.
