Appenzeller Spitzhaubens thrive in cold winters. Typically, deliver a high amount of white eggs even in the winter months. In this surprise feather color option, you will recieve (1) chick. Possibilities include Golden Spangled Appenzeller Spitzhauben, Silver Spangled Appezeller Spitzhauben, or Chamios Appenzeller Spitzhauben.
Eggs they will gift
Gifts 4-5 medium white eggs a week
Personality
They are very active and love to forage. Appenzellers love being outside, even in the snow. Appenzeller Spitzhauben chickens are fairly predator-savvy. They are active, alert, and they fly well, to escape from predators. Appenzellers have great reflexes and are very fast chickens. They may be susceptible to attacks from a hawk and other birds of prey.
History
The history of the Appenzeller Spitzhauben breed is not well documented, but the breed originated in Switzerland and has possibly been around for centuries. The breed is named after its home range—the Appenzell region of Switzerland—and its unusual crest. Spitzhauben translates to “pointed hat” or “pointed bonnet.” The American Poultry Association does not recognize the Appenzeller Spitzhauben breed, so there are no breed standards.
Sexing Method
Several communities have laws in which roosters are not allowed. The sex of an Appenzeller Spitzhauben being reliably identifiable by external characteristics on average is 80%.
Chick: Silver Spangled Appenzeller Spitzhauben
Most families are attracted to obtaining their chickens from us because we are proud to be completely different than typical feed store/ hatchery industry standards. Industry standard is to sex as accurately as possible and sell as pullets (female chicks) and force customers to accept a >10% chance of an accidental rooster without the ability to accept returns nor refunds. In addition, industry standard is to sell bantams (such as silkies) as straight runs since they are too small for safe vent sexing. We offer multiple sexing options.
Male
If you are lucky enough to have a rooster, our male sexing option is a great way to save money on a wonderful breed.
Unsexed
This option means that the chicks have not yet been sexed and are sold as a straight run. While nature usually averages half girls and half boys in high volumes, families should only order if prepared for >50% possible roosters.
Female Coverage
This is our most economical choice for families seeking a female. We kept city ordinances that restrict rooster ownership in mind. This option is great for families that want to enjoy a backyard flock of ladies. We use traditional sexing methods on the breeds that capable of being vent sexed, home accidental roosters, and issue store credit of original purchased price. To learn more about how we sex baby chicks based on their breed view: How to Sex Chickens.
Depending on the breed, sexing accuracy can range as low as 50% for bantam breeds, 90% for standard breeds, and as high as 95% for auto sexing breeds. Our female coverage option is not a service fee for sexing the chick, it is the cost difference between purchasing a male or a female chicken. We do not believe in grinding males alive nor suffocating them as day olds to enable a profit when selling a stated female chick at ridiculously low prices. Thus, our female pricing takes into consideration the male left behind with each female purchased. Male chicks are typically half the price of a female.
To qualify for rehoming, the rooster must remain in perfect health. If the family decides to return the rooster, a store credit in the amount of original purchase price is provided. As a family, you are welcome to decide to keep any accidental rooster and forfeit the credit.
DNA Sexed Female Chicks
For families that get emotionally bonded quickly and do not want to risk a future discovery of a rooster, we offer DNA sexing. DNA sexing is the only true accurate method of sexing baby chicks. DNA testing is a significantly higher financial investment. In most cases, it is 3x the cost as (1) female sex covered chick.
Balance accuracy with financial investment
The sexing decision is one that needs to be made at time of purchased and the original order cannot be altered once the order is fulfilled. It is important as a family to determine the right balance between sexing accuracy and financial investment for your family’s situation.
We provide as much information on our website as possible to ensure families make an informed decision based on their situation and lifestyle. Some breeds are more accurate in sexing and most families find our female coverage adequate in providing a free home for their accidental rooster (up to $100 savings) and use the store credit towards a replacement or our organic feed. While harder to sex bantam breeds, or families that know they will develop a with strong emotional attachment prefer to invest in DNA sexing.