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Appenzeller Spitzhauben

The Appenzellar Spitzhauben originated in Switzerland. Large fowl are found but bantams were not...
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General Information

Breed Purpose
Ornamental
Comb
V-Shaped
Broodiness
Seldom
Climate Tolerance
All Climates
Egg Productivity
Medium
Egg Size
Medium
Egg Color
White
Breed Temperament
Friendly, Do not bear confinement well
Breed Colors/Varieties
Silver Spangled/Silver Crescent, Golden Spangled and Blacks are found in the UK and USA. Light/soft feathered.
Breed Size
Large Fowl
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With their characteristic forward sweeping crest, the Appenzeller Spitzhauben is an unusual looking bird. The breed originated in the Appenzell canton of northeast Switzerland and seem to date as far back as the 16th century, where similar birds are described as being developed in the local monasteries. Switzerland considers the Appenzeller Spitzhauben to be the national chicken of their country and the breed takes their name from the ceremonial hats worn by woman of the region, called Spitzhauben (pointed hood) which are reminiscent of the breeds large forward sweeping crest.

The breed fell into disfavor after WWII and was at the brink of extinction when a German breeder, Kurt Fischer, imported all three of the original colors (black, golden spangled and silver spangled) into Germany in 1953, he is credited with saving the breed. The silver spangled version was also imported in to the US in the 1950’s, and it is the primary color found in the US today. The breed is not currently recognized by the APA, but is in the UK.

Besides the characteristic crest, Appenzeller Spitzhauben have "V" combs, blue legs, and white skin. They are rather small birds, are very active and alert,and are good flyers and foragers. They do not take well to close confinement. They are cold hardy, and though they are primarily an ornamental breed today, the hens are good layers of medium-large sized eggs and are non-setters.

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Appenzeller Spitzhauben egg

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Appenzeller Spitzhauben chicks

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Appenzeller Spitzhauben juvenile

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Appenzeller Spitzhauben hen

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Appenzeller Spitzhauben rooster

For more information on this breed and their owners' and breeders' experiences with them, see our breed discussion here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-breed-focus-appenzeller-spitzhauben.1013428/
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Latest reviews

The Welch Chickens
Pros: Adorable with hilarious antics! One of my favorite breeds in the flock.
Cons: They are supposed to be good winter layers, but ours really isn’t.
I love this breed! I have one silver spangled hen. She is funny and cute. She’s super popular with visitors (“Look at the white one with the funny hat!”) :D
They are supposed to be good layers in the winter (better than other breeds, at least), but she slowed down just like the rest of the flock. Yes, her egg song is a bit loud, but not horrible.

Overall, I would totally recommend this breed!
Note: I only have one hen! My review may not apply to all chickens of this breed.
Purchase Date
April 2023

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Eggstaticmom
Pros: Very good egg layers- cold hardy- heat tolerant-
Cons: Very loud, attention seeking
I have three hens- producing average 2-3 eggs a day- they insist on access to the entire yard which can be troublesome when you have dogs. They want you digging up worms for them 24/7 - hardly let you work in the yard because they want to be in the middle or not everything-again very loud one in particular- I live in a neighborhood so I thankfully no complaints yet-
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Purchase Date
May 2022
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MeanCheek
Pros: Cold hardy, ornimental, small, great egg layers, and great foragers.
Cons: Loud strange call. Hard to find decent quality birds.
Spitzhaubens are one of my favorite breeds. I wish I could find better quality birds. Mine roam up the hill into the woods, foraging diligently- instead of going to my neighbor's chicken coop to eat their feed, which they appreciate. The pullets lay well, but their eggs are small. The cockerels are gentle on hens, and not aggressive with me. I plan on getting many more.
Purchase Price
About $5 from Cackle Hatchery
Purchase Date
Spring of 2021
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Comments

anderson8505
I love my Silver Spangled Spitzhauben rooster, but I wouldn't say any one breed is "good with kids". My roo grew up with kids until a few months old, then moved to my place with no kids. He will mildly attack children and visitors without provocation. Other than that, he's beautiful to look at and I wish more people raised them so that I could get him some ladies of his own breed.
 
Stu74
Hi. I am new to backyard chickens. Where did you get your Appenzeller Spitzhauben from. I am in Western Australia and are interested in breeding the Appenzeller.
 
EweSheep
I got mine from Ideal Hatchery in Texas. I am afraid that they will NOT ship to Australia. I do not think there is any Appenzellers in that country that I know of. Maybe you can check out the FB Appenzeller Spitzhauben or the American website http://appenzellerspitzhauben.com/ and ask around if anyone has any in your country. I wish you all the luck!
 
HenFriend
Had one of these years ago,still have a couple of her grand daughters which are a bit mixed up with other breeds now. They are tough and live a long time and of course are so pretty. Unfortunately mine had a preference for roosting in trees and I had to go and fetch her back most nights! Her offspring seem to have inherited this.
 
anttrim
They are first on my list in spring. I cant believe i missed them this year. Everyone is out ,unless you know a hatchery. Im really not wanting to pay the Greenfire price. Spring they will sell for 2.79 or 3 on the straight run day olds. I had to settle for the Silver Spangled Hamburgs for now. But i did just get 6 pullet Legbars and 2 roos. We also got 5 sweds of different color patterns. The Spitzhaubens are so beautiful. Happy happy and God bless
 
piglett
if the roo is hitting the mark get a cheep foam incubator & hatch some out to replace the ones you lost
 
Tomtommom
From the sound of it the tractor is a bit too small for them. Especially for a bird that does not do well in confinement. I trully believe one should select birds that thrive with the way you intend to keep them. This particular breed and tractor keeping do not combine. No lecture, just food for thought! :)
 
Trefoil
I agree. I got 2 Appenzellers from Meyer last year, along with some cochins,brahmas ,Jersey Giants, wyandottes and sumatras. They are all hens, grew up together and get along with no issues. The Appenzellers are of course smaller than the rest but they are just as friendly and just all around entertaining and nice to be around.
 
grassfedchicken
Your post made me think of my German Spitz roo- is loud and squawky when i hold him. but very gentle and lovable otherwise
 
Spitzboyz
You don't pronounce it at all in German. It is a Swedish word; "Appenzeller" is the region or district in Sweden where the birds originally developed. "Spitzhauben" is the term for the hats that the women of the region traditionally wear. The German association came from two places. The first is that the German's re-labeled them German when they briefly occupied the Swiss district at the time the bird was developed. The second is that most hatcheries in the US have added the word "German" because their was an abudant mixing of the orginal Appenzellers with German Hamburgs to "stregthen" the breed. This habit is now considered to be very bad by breeders as you actually want a bird as close to the European originals without any inter breed crosses.
 
RezChamp
Yes, beautiful looking birds. Had a few a few years ago. Nice birds. Maybe get a few again later on.
 
Garjzla
I'm sorry you couldn't keep them...

I breed chickens and I may add that to the list of breeding pairs!
 
ToniTalley
We have a hen, and she is not really a very good layer, maybe 3 eggs a week, although she has stopped laying right now. We named her Frizzola, for the silly frizzy hairdo. She is not mean, but not so friendly either, more of a loner than the others.
 

Item information

Category
Chicken Breeds
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Comments
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Reviews
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Last update
Rating
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