Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
The Appenzeller Spitzhauben's origin is in Switzerland. This breed of chicken forages well
and loves to roam the mountainside and roost in trees. It is a rare breed but a beautiful bird
with crested feathers on top of its head. Spitzhauben means pointed bonnet, which is what the
crest looks like. It is available in blue spangled, black spangled, gold, gold spangled, silver
spangled, and barthuhner.
The rooster Appenzeller Spitzhauben weighs about 4 ½ pounds, and the hens weigh about 3 ½
pounds. Their comb is V-shaped, except in the barthuhner variety. They have a rose comb and
no crest. The Appenzeller Spitzhauben has a clean, blue leg, with four toes. Their eyes are
brown. Their eggs are white and medium size. They are average egg layers, laying about 155
eggs yearly.
These birds are very active and do not bear confinement well. They love to roam and forage
for insects. They require little food and are easy to maintain. If you want an Appenzeller
Spitzhauben, be sure you have lots of room for them to roam, and make sure their run and
coop are secure. They like to take flight as best as they can. Their nature is overall friendly,
docile, and calm. They are good in all climates. Their combs and wattles are relatively small,
which means in cold weather there is little skin susceptible to frostbite.
Although Appenzeller Spitzhaubens are rarely found in the United States of America, they are
popular in Europe. They are not recognized by the American Poultry Association, possibly
because of their limited availability in the U.S.
Aseel
Aseels are a somewhat rare bird and one of the oldest breeds of chickens. They originate from
India and were developed to be an aggressive, belligerent bird. The instinct to fight is a dom-
inant gene that has been bred into them. It is said that even chicks just a few weeks old will
start attacking their own mother. More than one rooster should not be in your flock. However,
owners claim that these birds are docile toward people and easy to care for at home.
The Aseel's feathers are short, hard, and glossy. Aseels have strong, curved necks and short
beaks, making their faces almost predator-like. Their eyes are pearl colored and set close to-
gether. The skin and legs are yellow, and they have a clean leg with 4 toes. This bird does not
have a wattle or a crest. Their pea comb is small.
Aseels are kept as pets or used as an ornamental breed. They are available in black-breasted
red, dark, spangled, white, and wheaton. They bear confinement well and are fine in any cli-
