Silver Spangled Hamburg Chickens

Day Old Silver Spangled Hamburg Baby Chicks

• Egg Layer
• 200-255 Eggs annually
• Easy to tame, shy with humans, very active , doesn't like confinement
• Cockerel 4 lbs, Pullet 3.5 lbs
• APA Continental
• Conservancy Status: Watch

Another of the old breeds, Hamburgs were developed in Holland, but no one is sure where the first ones came from or how the breed came to be. It is known that Hamburgs were being bred in the 14th century and that they became very popular in England in the early 1800s.

The Silver Spangled color variety was developed in England but is also a favorite in the United States. These small, brightly colored birds almost appear to be polka-dotted. They are quite cheerful-looking, with a rose comb and bright white earlobes.

Silver Spangled Hamburgs were included in the first edition of the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Perfection in 1874. An interesting bit of trivia is that L. Frank Baum, author of the series of Oz books, enjoyed raising Hamburgs, and in fact, wrote a book about them entitled The Book of the Hamburgs: A Brief Treatise upon the Mating, Rearing, and Management of the Different Varieties of Hamburgs.

Silver Spangled Hamburgs are white with black markings. The males have more white on their hackles and tail feathers, with what almost looks like black polka dots liberally scattered across their bodies. While the spangles appear black, they are actually a very dark green. Hens are similarly marked but with less white and more spangles.