German Spitzhauben Chickens

German Spitzhauben Chickens are the national breed of Switzerland, having existed there for centuries. The feathers of the crest pf the German Spitzhauben Chickens should be forward facing. Spitzhauben means pointed hat or bonnet. Proper plumage markings for a German Spitzhauben Chicken is black-tipped feathers, rather than the larger moonlike spangles found on Hamburgs. In the UK there is also a Black version of the German Spitzhauben Chicken breed. With their crest, V-comb, and spangled plumage, German Spitzhaubens are very attractive out on grass. German Spitzhauben Chicks are very good foragers, ranging far and wide. The Appenzeller Barthuhner is the second variety in this breed. Appenzeller Barthuhner chicken is a more powerfully built bird and lacks a crest. Instead Appenzeller Barthuhner has a rose comb with a backward pointing spike, a full beard and white ear lobes. German Appenzeller Spitzhaubens are one of two Appenzeller breeds. These are spangled like hamburgs, have a "V" comb, and a topknot that is supposed to be upright and face forward, not floppy like Polish. They are not lap chickens, but they are not flighty either. Weighing in at about 4 pounds with off-white eggs. 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. 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.