Appenzellers
By: Christina Fikaris  

There are two types of Appenzellers: the Spitzhauben and the Barthuhner.  At present there is no Appenzeller bantam standardized in the UK. Appenzeller Spitzhauben Appenzeller Spitzhaubens originate from the Appenzel region of Switzerland.  The ‘Spitzhauben’ refers to the forward-pointing lace bonnets worn by the women of Appenzellerland as part of their national costume The Spitzhaubens were introduced to the UK in 1972 by The Hon. Mrs. Pamela Jackson, one of the Mitford sisters.  She bred them while living in Switzerland in the 1960s, and on her return to the UK, she brought with her some eggs which were hatched in an incubator belonging to her sister, The Duchess of Devonshire.  Tom Barlett was among the first to take up the breed.   The Appenzeller Breed Society (UK) was formed in 1978, Tom Barlett being the first Secretary and Mrs Jackson, the President, from 1978 until her death in 1996. Recently, the Appenzeller Society in the UK, never having membership higher than 40, took the decision that the breed is best served under the stewardship of The Rare Poultry Society in Britain. Appenzellers are a small, light breed, highly active, and being good foragers, they prefer to free-range rather than being penned.  If they are to be kept within a run, they will require a very large grassed area with fencing at least 6ft high as they are extremely good fliers. The Standard colour varieties are Silver Spangled, Gold Spangled and Self Black.  However, in Europe new colours are currently being developed: Blue Silver, Blue Gold and Self Blue.  They are classed as a Light, Soft-Feather breed; the ideal weight for the male being 1.6kg – 2kg, and female 1.35kg – 1.6kg.  They are reasonably good layers of white eggs, laying approx 150 pa, but the Appenzeller hen seldom becomes broody and as such, hatching is usually done by an incubator or under a broody. Appenzellers are tree-roosters by nature, preferring high, narrow branches.  If they are allowed to roost this way as young birds, they will develop bent breastbones, a disqualification in Show.  In shows, Appenzellers are normally entered in the AOV Light Breed class. The British Breed Standard dictates the following characteristics: MALE: Type: Body: well developed and rounded, walnut-shaped.  Breast: full, carried high.  Wings: rather long, carried close.  Tail: well furnished, well spread, at right angles to back.  Back: of medium length, slightly sloping with full hackle. Head: Medium sized, held high, with typical raised skull and medium-sized pointed crest bent forward.  Face: smooth.  Comb: horn type consisting of two small rounded spikes, separate and without side sprigs.  Wattles: moderately long and fine.  Earlobes: medium-sized, oval, bluish-white.  Beak: powerful, with strong, cavernous nostrils and a prominent ridge to the beak with a small, fleshy knob at the front.  Eyes: prominent and alert, dark brown Neck: Medium length, slightly arched with abundant hackle. Legs & Feet: Thighs: slender and prominent; shanks: medium length, fine.  Toes: four, well spread out. Plumage: Fairly hard and tight. FEMALE:  Except for a more horizontal back line, the general characteristics are the same for the male, allowing for the natural sexual differences. This article was written by  Christina.. For use on The Gander Gab sites. For permission to use, or further information contact [email protected]