Appenzeller Spitzhauben Chickens

Appenzeller Barthuhner Male

Appenzeller Black Spangled Male

Appenzeller Blue Spangled Male

History

The Appenzeller originates from Switzerland and will lay well on little food. They are ideally suited to mountain life as they are excellent climbers, like to roost in trees and as they only have small wattles and combs, they don\'t have so much to get frostbitten. They have a well spread tail, full hackle and fairly hard, tight plumage. On the head is a horn type comb with two small rounded spires and the unique crest points forward like the bonnets on the traditional costume bonnets worn by the ladies in the Appenzellerland region. Spitzhauben actually means pointed bonnet. The wattles are long and fine and the ear lobes are white and oval shaped. They have a powerful beak with large deep nostrils and a fleshy knob at the front of the beak. The prominent eyes are brown.

Behaviour

The Appenzellers are really quite bright and will happily look after themselves when insects are plentiful. They like having freedom to roam as well as having things to climb as they are always on the go and like to roost in trees. Appenzellers will need extremely secure fencing as they are very good fliers. They are good layers and will occasionally sit if undisturbed.