Appenzeller Q's about behavior, care, etc

[amartinlb]

On an impulse we just got three baby pullets of the Silver Spangled Spitzhauben Appenzeller variety and we were aware that they are known to be a bit flighty though from two books we looked them up in they claim they aren't nearly as much of a hassle compared to Hamburgs and Sebrights (someone with experience correct me if those books were wrong please!).

Anyway the coop area is a 16ftx8ftr shed with an approximate 12ftx12ft cube run attached that is 6ft high with a tarp over the top for shed and to keep it dry. The other breeds I am keeping are Ameraucana mutts, Buff Orpington, Barred Rock, Cuckoo Maran, RIR, Delaware, and Wyandottes. Soon we are getting a few Polish pullets later though we may give them a small section of the shed for themselves if they get bullied.

First, are they really flighty? Would they get a long with those breeds? Is there any behavior I should expect? Are they generally people friendly (the hens) even if they generally don't want to be picked up? What other things should I know about them as I raise them?

Also, for those of you with experience with them or just raising chicks in general check out this thread and let me know if you think they are just tired and stressed or possibly something is wrong (I think they're just tired from the hot day...): https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=171561

Thanks in advance,
-Anna

 

[EweSheep]

I love my Spitz girls!

Mine are not normally flighty like Leghorns. they are friendly with treats but they dont like to be picked up unless they have been handled daily which I dont handle them much. They are curious birds and sometimes they do talk (almost laughing sound like a hyena LOL).

I have Welsummers, Amercuanas, EE, Orpingtons and they got along just fine. No problem with pecking orders.

They are good egg layers, just as good as my Welsummers.

If you are seriously breeding them, do not get any with Polish heads. They should have mohawks that tips forward a bit. With Ideal hatchery Spitz pullets, I ordered 25 and and kept two of them that are acceptable mohawks while the rest of the flock was culled due to poor feather tippings and Polish mops heads.

Julie Gabbard would be the one that can get you started on it and CarlaOK, is another one to try. Those breeders have two different lines. I have both of their lines and Ideal Hatchery lines as well.

Good luck on getting your Spitz!

 

[amartinlb]

We're not looking to breed any especially since our town bans Cockerels (unless you have really nice neighbors that don't complain ). We're just looking to keep some token white egg layers since none of the other breeds I currently have lay white eggs. So the headcrest wouldn't really bother me if it isn't proper or not.

Thanks for the information though!

 

[EweSheep]

I, too, live in the city limits but I usually have roosters only in the late fall to early spring months to get fertile eggs. Once the weather gets warm, the roos have a good home or eaten.

They are great to have! If you want alot of chicks, go order thru Ideal.

 

[amartinlb]

Anyone else? I'm looking for all information possible so I know what to expect. So far they seem pretty slow growing...

-Anna

 

[EweSheep]

They are a bit slow growing but when you reach about a year old they would look like this hen:

 

[amartinlb]

Quote:
Is yours from Ideal?

And do they really fly a lot requiring wing clipping or is that really not necessary?

 

[EweSheep]

Yes two of my hens were from Ideal. I love them! I love CarlasOK and Julie's birds too!

No I never had to clip their wings but they CAN fly if something is disturbing them. It is your call if you want to clip them. I had to clip Leghorns because they were so bad and the Penes I used to have. No fun watching them smashing themselves against the wall so I got rid of them.

They also say they can not stand confinement, well, they are confined and they are happy. I dont put them in cages unless they are chicks exposed to the adults for the first time and I let them get a little bigger than the bantams so they can defend themselves if they need to.

So hopefully it answers your questions.

 

[amartinlb]

I meant is the one in the photo you posted from Ideal or is that from someone's private bred stock?

Thanks for the info though. At what age do you think I should introduce them to the older girls? Currently there are 6 three week old wyandottes in the garage pen which is fenced with chicken wire 4ft high and has floor dimensions of 4ftx6ft. The shed and run has pullets (one likely rooster though) ranging from about 5 weeks to 8-10 weeks old.

-Anna

 

[teddiliza]

Oh! I bought one April 4th that I originally thought was a polish (approx 1-2 weeks old) , and was thinking it was a 'failure to thrive' but if slow growth is the norm, then I'm not so worried. It's the same size as my barred rock/polish cross chick which was hatched on April 9th. It's quite sweet, but gets SOO picked on by the other chicks! I had it in the brooder alone with an older silkie who's also getting picked on now that they are all in the grower coop. Now they are quite the cute duo, and the silkie is getting bigger and being protective of it.