The Appenzeller Spitzhauben (meaning “lacy
bonnet”) is perfectly adapted to the mountains. Lively and light, it is a good
rock climber.
It flies and can easily perch on the
branch of a tree to spend the night, even in winter. With its small barbels and
the V-comb, it is not afraid of frost.
The hens
weigh between 1.2 and 1.5 kg and the roosters between 1.5 and 1.8 kg. In its
first year of life, the crested hen lays about 150 white eggs, which weigh
about 55g each.
It is said
that the crested hen was reared in convents in Alpine regions as early as in
the 15th century. In the 20th century, it survived in the Appenzell only. For
this reason, the breed is now referred to as the Appenzeller Spitzhauben. Without
the commitment of a few breeders, the breed would have become extinct in the
early 1950s.
