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 Uses: Exhibition. Utility: eggs
Eggs: 230 – 280 white
Origin: Switzerland (Appenzell Canton)
Weight: Only large fowl standardised
Cock: 1.60 – 2.00Kg Hen: 1.35 – 1.60Kg
Colours: Silver Spangled, Gold Spangled & Black standardised. There is also the Chamois Spangled and Blue which are yet to gain a British Standard.
Useful to Know: A very active breed capable of laying a good number of large white eggs for the size of the bird. The Appenzeller Spitzhauben is best suited to a system of free range as it is a superb forager, the breed; along with many light breeds has a reputation for being flighty, but this is easily over come with gentle handling. Its crest gives the breed its name and should always be medium sized and must point forward - Spitzhauben literally translates to pointed bonnet.
Photo: Best of Breed National & Federation 2010 Silver Spangled Appenzeller Spitzhauben owned and photographed by Benjamin Shepherd.
Originating in the North-eastern Appenzell canton of Switzerland, the Appenzeller Spitzhauben is thought to have developed in the local monasteries – the dates and the breeds involved in its development are somewhat of a mystery. One thing is certain though is that during the 1950's when the breed was facing extinction – it was German breeder Kurt Fischer who helped ensure the breed survived. The breed arrived to England in the early 1970's and it was Mrs Pamela Jackson who first imported them in any great number, when she sourced hatching eggs in 1972.
Originally only available in Silver Spangled, Gold Spangled and Black – the Skill of the German breeders has introduced Chamois Spangled (buff with white spangles) and Blue, all five of these colour varieties are now available in the UK. Examples of Cuckoo have also been created on the continent - but it isn't known if any Cuckoo's have yet been imported.
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