Chicken Breed Focus - Appenzeller Spitzhauben

[sumi]

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.

Details:
Breed purpose: Ornamental
Comb Type: V
Broodiness: Non-setter
Climate Tolerance: Average
Weight: Roosters 4.5 lbs, Hens 3.5 lbs.
Egg Productivity: Good
Egg Size: Medium
Egg Color: White

BYC Breed reviews:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/appenzeller-spitzhauben

General breed discussions & FAQ threads:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/164012/spitzhaubens/0_20
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/730972/appenzeller-barthuhner-thread/0_20
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/270338/brabanters-and-spitzhaubens-the-differences-pic-heavy/0_20



Appenzeller Spitzhauben Rooster @PhoredaBurds


Appenzeller Spitzhauben Rooster @PhoredaBurds


Appenzeller Spitzhauben Rooster2 @CrazyTalk


Appenzeller Spitzhauben Pullet @stoneunhenged


Appenzeller Spitzhauben Pullet @DeannaOR


Appenzeller Spitzhauben Flock @flitter


Appenzeller Spitzhauben Flock @flitter


Appenzeller Spitzhauben Flock @PhoredaBurds


Do you own Appenzeller Spitzhauben? Are you a Appenzeller Spitzhauben breeder? If so, please reply to this thread with the your thoughts and experiences, including:

· What made you decide to get this breed?
· Do you own them for fun? Breeding? Some other purpose?
· What are your favorite characteristics about this breed?
· Post some pics of your birds; male/female, chicks, eggs, etc!

We have a bunch of other awesome breed-focus threads for you to enjoy. You can see all of them here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-breed-focus-project.975504/

 

[Faraday40]

I was going through my pics and found one of my pretty Spitzie. She was gorgeous and our daughter trained her to come when called and land on her arm.
Sadly, we lost her to a hawk.

The next year we hatched some more Spitzes. My son ended up picking out one that he called HIS chick. He named her Poof Poof. Although not as pretty as Spitzie, she is a very special bird to our son.

She runs up to him and jumps into his lap to see if he has any treats for her.

Over the years, Poof Poof has accompanied him on many backyard adventures. She just loves the spotlight and to pose for photos.

Last week a friend gave us some more Spitzhauben eggs, so the adventures will continue & perhaps DS's sweet Poof Poof will get a new friend.

 

[brrabey]

I've been snowed in for weeks. I decided to start needle felting my chickens. I wanted to share my ASpitz with you guys because I though my you'd love it like I do.

here's my Goose

tiny little spitz replica of my Goosey Girl

 

[Alaskan]

I hatched some spitz, 8.

Seven Chamois, with one Golden Spangled

 

[CrazyTalk]

My most promising pullet above.

I agree with CarnyCat - I've found mine to readily sit if eggs aren't collected. They've raised a couple of clutches of eggs this year.

And my roo in the snow last winter.

 

[McKennA]

We have a Spitz that we absolutely adore! She is everyone's favorite, very sweet, will follow you around, and jump up on your lap or shoulder. We have a run that is 20 X 10, that thirteen chickens spend most of their day in and have not had any issues. We let them free range 1 to 2 hours a day, and that seems to keep everybody happy. No eggs yet, mine are 16 weeks old.

 

[JBerman21]

Just started with this breed and I'm loving it! They're going to be my focus for my breeding program. I just ordered black, blue, chamio, and silver hatching eggs. I'm beyond excited! These are my babies now

 

[Alaskan]

I could be wrong, but I'm fairly certain the gold spangled ones are the chamois spitzies. @Alaskan breeds those.

Gold spangled are bright gold with black spots.

I saw some for sale on one of the major chicken hatchery sites...forget which one, maybe Cackle.

I have Chamois, got them from the NE-ish area of the US as shipped eggs... totally blanking as to who it was....

It was years back now.

Chamois photos...

 

[PhoredaBurds]

Some more recent pics:

 

[Faraday40]

The kids are feeling better (Strep for Christmas & flu for New Year!), so we finally took a few Christmas pics. Guess which bird DS wanted to pose with?
Here he is with "Poof-Poof" (Which was supposed to be MY 'Spitzie' until he decided the pullet was HIS.) He also has a very out-going speckled sussex, but that's another story.