Spitzhauben chickens originate within the Appenzell district of Switzerland. They’re due to this fact usually referred to as Appenzeller Spitzhaubens. The Swiss phrase spitzhauben refers back to the breed’s crest of ahead curving feathers, which remind Appenzell residents of their conventional woman’s bonnets.
Close to Extinction
Based on The Livestock Conservancy, Spitzhaubens have been identified because the sixteenth century, saved in native monasteries as low upkeep chickens which might be good layers. Nevertheless, by the tip of World Conflict II the breed had almost grow to be extinct.
In 1953 a German poultry breeder named Kurt Fischer acquired the three unique varieties — black, golden spangled, and silver spangled. By means of his breeding efforts, Fischer revived the breed from full extinction.
Fischer then helped get Spitzhauben chickens accepted into the German poultry customary. The breed has since been acknowledged by requirements in a number of different European nations.
Within the late Fifties, a former German prisoner of conflict who had been detained in Alabama after which repatriated, returned to the US with a number of dozen silver spangled Spitzhauben eggs. Lengthy-time Alabama poultry breeder Albert McGraw hatched the eggs. The ensuing chickens have been the primary identified Spitzhaubens in the US. To at the present time, silver spangled remains to be the most well-liked Spitzhauben selection.
In the meantime, varied breeders have since imported Spitzhaubens from Europe, rising the gene pool of the silver spangled selection in North America and introducing different varieties. Regardless of these imports and subsequent breeding efforts, Spitzhaubens stay comparatively uncommon in the US.
The American Poultry Affiliation doesn’t but acknowledge the breed. The Appenzeller Spitzhauben Membership of America, nonetheless, is working to get the breed standardized.
Hardy Appenzeller Spitzhauben Chickens
Having come from the alpine area of Switzerland, close to the borders of Germany and Austria, the Spitzhauben is a chilly hardy breed. But it surely additionally tolerates heat, humid climate, making it an all local weather hen.
This mid-size breed lays 150 to 180 medium to giant white-shell eggs per yr. It is likely one of the few breeds that naturally lay in the course of the darkish winter months. The hens might or might not brood. After they do, they make terrific moms.
Spitzhaubens are usually a little bit extra talkative than most different hen breeds. They’re lively and alert, making them distinctive foragers.
They fly rather well and wish to roost in bushes. Retaining them confined requires both an particularly tall fence or a lined run. Clipping their wings is another choice, however makes them extra vulnerable to predation.
Spitzhaubens have a vibrant purple, V-shaped comb, blue-gray legs, and white earlobes and pores and skin. Roosters weigh about 4.5 kilos and hens weigh about 3.5 kilos.
Spitzhaubens at Cackle Hatchery®
Spitzhauben chickens in the US diverge fairly a bit from the unique breed. Most notable is their non-traditional crest. The feathers ought to be reasonably sparse, stand upright, and curve towards the entrance, reasonably than being spherical, full, and curving towards the again.
Like different critical Spitzhauben breeders, Cackle Hatchery has been working to appropriate this defect. Working towards that enchancment, Cackle Hatchery imported three silver spangled roosters in 2013 for its personal breeding program. The silver spangled Appenzeller Spitzhauben has silvery white feathers, every marked with a V-shape black spangle on the tip.
Cackle Hatchery additionally breeds golden spangled Appenzeller Spitzhaubens from basis inventory obtained in 2015 from Dick Dickerson, a member of the Appenzeller Spitzhauben Membership of America. The golden spangled selection has golden purple feathers, every ending with a black V-shape spangle.
Since 2021, Cackle Hatchery has been breeding chamois spangled Appenzeller Spitzhaubens. This pastel selection has pale golden buff plumage set off by creamy white spangles.
At the moment Cackle Hatchery is creating a purple spangled Appenzeller Spitzhauben. This selection is much like the golden spangled, besides that the background shade is deep purple reasonably than golden. Additionally, the purple spangled is a bit smaller than different varieties.
With a lot to supply, it’s no surprise that heritage Appenzeller Spitzhauben chickens are garnering curiosity amongst critical poultry fans.
And that’s as we speak’s information from the Cackle Coop.
