Appenzeller Spitzhauben chicken
The Appenzeller Spitzhauben is a crested Swiss layer with a forward-pointing crest. It is active and productive.
The Appenzeller Spitzhauben is a pure-bred chicken breed in the PCGB Soft Feather Light class. Its origin is given as Appenzell, Switzerland.
It is kept in large form. Recognised colours: Black, Silver Spangled, Gold Spangled standardised UK, Barred, Black-Mottled, Blue, Chamois Spangled. Typical adult weights: cock about 1.6–2 kg and hen about 1.35–1.6 kg.
Expect roughly 230–280 eggs a year, with white shells. It is mainly kept for eggs and for exhibition or as an ornamental bird.
Compiled from poultryclub.org, poultrykeeper.com, en.wikipedia.org. See sources
Photos
From keepers' flocks
No keeper photos yet.
Keep this breed? Add your birds on Flockstock and share a photo from the bird's page. Go to my flock
Identity
- Species
- Chicken
- Type
- Pure breed
- PCGB class
- Soft Feather Light
- Origin
- Appenzell, Switzerland
- Kept for
- Eggs, Exhibition or ornamental
History
It comes from the Appenzell canton, possibly from local monasteries, but its origins are unknown. It was close to extinction in the 1950s, when German breeder Kurt Fischer helped save it. It reached England in the early 1970s.
Appearance
Forward-pointing crest. The UK standardises Black, Silver Spangled and Gold Spangled; other colours exist abroad. Only large fowl are standardised in the UK.
Recognised colours
Black, Silver Spangled, Gold Spangled standardised UK, Barred, Black-Mottled, Blue, Chamois Spangled
Size and weight
- Forms
- Large
- Cock
- 1.6–2 kg
- Hen
- 1.35–1.6 kg
Eggs
- Eggs a year
- 230–280
- Egg colour
- White
- Notes
- Poultrykeeper gives 230–280 large white eggs.
Temperament
- In short
- Active; flighty until handled
- Keeping notes
- Very active. Poultrykeeper says its flightiness eases with gentle handling.
Hardiness
Not recorded yet.
Broodiness
Not recorded yet.
Flying
Not recorded yet.
Suitability
Not recorded yet.
Conservation status (RBST)
Not on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust's priority list.
Breed club
- Appenzeller Spitzhauben Society of Great Britain, breed-specific
Sources
This page is compiled from:
Review
Nothing is flagged on this page at the moment. Breeds and strains vary, so check with a breeder or club too.
Suggest a change
Spotted something wrong or missing? Tell us what it should say, and we'll review it.