spitzenhauben chickens?

[mstricer]

Ive been looking for information on spitzenhauben chickens and it appears that not to many people have or tend to talk about them. I bought 3. 1 roo and 2 girls. I bought them because they are rare breeds along with the salmon favorolles. Does any one raise these chickens because of their rareity. I was trying to find out info. more on their behaviors and habits. they are about 17 weeks and are starting to get over their flighty stage and become more personable.

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

I only have one but I do know a little about them.

You'll find, as you've already found, that few people raise them and even fewer breed them. But there are a few BYCers that breed them on here. They may become more friendly when socialized with humans. Adults don't take to confinment well and like to free-range. They're pretty good fliers and many like roosting in trees. They're cold hardy.

As far as general information goes, they are being worked on in Silver Spangled, Golden Spangled, and Black. But I think only the Silver Spangled coloring is in the U.S.

If Spitz chickens aren't around people often, they can become a bit more flightly. My chick is roughly 11 weeks old and still doesn't like when I hold her.

There is a standard for them, even though they aren't yet a recognized breed. One of their most important flaws that have to be bred out by breeders in their crest. Hatchery chicks sometimes grow crests like Polish fowl when the crest should be smaller, tighter, and forward pointing. Spangling can sometimes be an issue.

Don't take my total word for it, though. Hopefully others will respond or correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[becky3086]

Very interesting. I am glad you asked this question as I have three that I hatched, and I didn't know a lot about them either.

 

[mstricer]

mine are also spangled. wanted a couple of rare breeds and these were very cool looking just starting out raising chickens and considering breeding or maybe even showing. I guess maybe checking out the fairs this year to see if i can find more info on them. I also have favorolles which were listed rare I really love and am glad I got them they are the funniest chickens and they make you chuckle alot.

 

[EweSheep]

I have some of those too!

There will be some very heavy culling going on in the Spitzhauben breed because many of them have improper crests and incorrect spangling pattern.

I have some of my Spitz listed in the Chicken Breed database here on the BYC, and a bit of history on them.

Enjoy!

 

[Andora]

I have two spitzhaubens. They are just hatchery pullets, I think they came from Meyer. We love them! They are in the flighty stage right now, but still fairly friendly. If I ever move to some farm land I would love to breed them. I have a small obsession with crested breeds.

One night they roosted up on the power line, so beware they will fly like robins and roost very high.

 

[Andora]

By the way, I also have two salmon faverolles and 5 faverolle/easter egger chicks. Faverolles are such a great breed. They are one of my all time favorites! Mine are as friendly as a little lap dog...

 

[rhodiegal]

I have one that is 3 months old. We call it the road runner because it is super fast. It is a flighty and peppy bird, though my kids do handle her. It is very similar in size and build to our Brabanter and the two often hang out together. I had requested a Spitz rooster as well with the idea of having more since they are rare, but oddly enough, the hatchery sent me Light Brahma roosters instead! Maybe they did not read the request?

 

[mstricer]

I also have the fav's 3 girls 1 roo. They will all be in coop together. The favorolles are my favorite, they are so funny. We are building the coop on outskirts of 1 acre of woods and have been letting everyone run around to get fimilar with area they love it, the coop is only half done and its funny they all know its theirs.

 

[spotsplus]

I got a cockerel and two pullets that are now about 2 months old. They don't like to be held but they seem to enjoy perching on my arm or shoulder. They get along well with my other chicks. They are very proud looking and acting. I find they don't stick close together in general but wander away from the flock. They are quick but will eat out of my hands and if I insist they be held for a few minutes they do give in and are fine but if released they tend to hop up and perch on hands or arms instead of being "held".
http://cspotsminiaturehorses.homestead.com/spitz2.JPG
http://cspotsminiaturehorses.homestead.com/sh0609d.JPG