Appenzeller Spitzhauben

[Tan27]

What is the coldest temperature the Appenzeller Spitzhauben can handle?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I had a few years ago and we can get down into the -20 Fahrenheit for temps at times. Mine did fine. They have small combs which helps them avoid frostbite.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

What is the coldest temperature the Appenzeller Spitzhauben can handle?

Mine did okay in -20F and -30F so far. They're older now though so they may not be able to for many more years

 

[Tan27]

Mine did okay in -20F and -30F so far. They're older now though so they may not be able to for many more years

Is that the only breed you have or do you have other breeds that do well in the cold? currently i have orpington and barred rock and even though they claim to be cold hardy they got frostbit this year in -30. So i decided its time to look for other breeds without a single comb

 

[Tan27]

I had a few years ago and we can get down into the -20 Fahrenheit for temps at times. Mine did fine. They have small combs which helps them avoid frostbite.

Thank you for your reply. Can you tell me why you decided to remove them from your flock?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Is that the only breed you have or do you have other breeds that do well in the cold? currently i have orpington and barred rock and even though they claim to be cold hardy they got frostbit this year in -30. So i decided its time to look for other breeds without a single comb

I have had several breeds, but to be honest, I count just comb and nail frostbite as nothing. It's a big, fleshy lump, odds are that it won't make it out whole anyways. It's when I start losing wattles and feet that I have issues

 

[Tan27]

I have had several breeds, but to be honest, I count just comb and nail frostbite as nothing. It's a big, fleshy lump, odds are that it won't make it out whole anyways. It's when I start losing wattles and feet that I have issues

Which breeds loss feet? I will stay clear lol
To date, my Barred Rock Rooster + Hen and Orpington rooster + hens got frostbite even though they claim to be hardy. Amazing personally but unfortunately I need to find a better breed for our winters.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Which breeds loss feet? I will stay clear lol
To date, my Barred Rock Rooster + Hen and Orpington rooster + hens got frostbite even though they claim to be hardy. Amazing personally but unfortunately I need to find a better breed for our winters.

Assorted Mixes, Phoenix, cochins, marans, my laughing chickens, and I'm sure some others, but it's been more than a couple years of fighting it at this point that I can't think off the top of my head

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thank you for your reply. Can you tell me why you decided to remove them from your flock?

They were too flighty and I often forgot that I had them.

Which breeds loss feet? I will stay clear lol
To date, my Barred Rock Rooster + Hen and Orpington rooster + hens got frostbite even though they claim to be hardy. Amazing personally but unfortunately I need to find a better breed for our winters.

When temps are above -10 frostbite can be because of too much moisture, so good ventilation in winter is important. When temps get below -10 something nothing stops frostbite. Larger combs will lose points sometimes, but it doesn't seem to bother them.

I've found EE to be the best for winter hardiness as they have small combs and almost no wattles.

 

[Tan27]

They were too flighty and I often forgot that I had them.

When temps are above -10 frostbite can be because of too much moisture, so good ventilation in winter is important. When temps get below -10 something nothing stops frostbite. Larger combs will lose points sometimes, but it doesn't seem to bother them.

I've found EE to be the best for winter hardiness as they have small combs and almost no wattles.

I haven't tried Ameraucana yet, but I wanted to this spring, do you believe the Easter Egger would be better?