Appenzeller Spitzhauben
and Appenzeller Barthuhner
My rooster "GrandMaster Flash"
This is the national breed of Switzerland, having existed there for centuries. The feathers of the crest should be forward facing--I have been told that Spitzhauben means pointed hat or bonnet. As far as I can understand, the proper plumage markings are black-tipped feathers, rather than the larger moonlike spangles found on Hamburgs. In the UK there is also a Black version of this breed.
With their crest, V-comb, and spangled plumage, these birds are very attractive out on grass. They are very good foragers, ranging far and wide.
The Appenzeller Barthuhner is the second variety in this breed. It is a more powerfully built bird and lacks a crest. Instead it has a rose comb with a backward pointing spike, a full beard and white ear lobes.
Breed clubs:
The Appenzeller Breed Society
M. J. Read
3 Ridge Cottage, Chilmarck, Salisbury
Wiltshire SP3 5BS
England
01722 766310
The Appenzeller Club
M J Read
3 Ridge Cottages, Chilmark
Salisbury, Wilts. SP3 5BS
England
phone: 01722 716631
The Appenzeller Breed Society (Switzerland)
Mr. Eugster Edi
Talsrasse 41
CH-9442 Berneck
Switzerland
++41 71 744 34 60
Appenzeller Links:
"Elvis," Karen Stone's Spitzhauben cockerel
Photo courtesy of Karen Stone
An Appenzeller Barthuhner hen
Photo courtesy of Nick Nick (The Chicken
Mother!)
Karen's two-year-old Spitz hen "Priscilla"
Photo courtesy of Karen Stone
Owen's Spitzhauben pullet
Photo courtesy of Owen Goodfellow
The head of a male Spitzhauben (Photo courtesy of Nick Nick--The Chicken Mother!) compared with an Appenzeller girl in her traditional costume (Photo courtesy of Christian Kuster) -- it sure is easy to see what the Swiss modeled that breed on!
An Appenzeller Spitzhauben rooster head shot
Photo courtesy of Ethan Logue
And here's another Spitzhauben rooster
Photo courtesy of Tami Johnson
This is my Spitzhauben hen "Emma"
Here's another Appenzeller Spitzhauben pullet
Photo courtesy of Jesse Branam
A twelve-week-old Appenzeller Spitzhauben cockerel
Photo courtesy of Jan Brett
Karen Stone's Spitzhauben chicks (the chick on the right is "Elvis")
or
Direct questions and comments to Barry at FeatherSite -- questions and comments
Photo courtesy of Karen Stone
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