Appenzeller Spitzhauben
Egg layerSwitzerland
This Swiss mountain breed wears a jaunty forward-pointing crest and climbs, roosts, and forages like the alpine bird it is. Spitzhaubens are excellent free-rangers with sharp instincts, though they treat fences more as suggestions than boundaries.
Eggs per year
150–180
Egg color
White
Egg size
Medium
Hen weight
3.5–4.5 lbs
Temperament
Energetic and alert
Broodiness
Rarely goes broody
Did you know?
"Spitzhauben" means "pointed bonnet" — the crest is named after the lace hats once worn by women in Switzerland's Appenzell region.
Appenzeller Spitzhauben egg production
Expect roughly 150–180 white eggs a year from a Appenzeller Spitzhauben in her prime — about 3 a week, or 13–15 dozen over the course of a year. That's a moderate, steady output rather than a record-setting one. Production naturally dips during the annual molt and the short days of winter, and eases off as a hen ages past her second or third year. Most pullets lay their first egg somewhere between five and eight months old.
Temperament & handling
The Appenzeller Spitzhauben is generally described as energetic and alert. They tend to be active, alert foragers that would rather be busy in the run than sitting in your lap, so give them space and things to do.
Climate & care
Rated cold-hardy, the Appenzeller Spitzhauben rides out hard winters well as long as the coop stays dry and draft-free — keep drinking water from freezing and watch combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze. It handles summer heat comfortably too, given shade, cool water, and good airflow.
Broodiness & raising chicks
Appenzeller Spitzhaubenhens rarely go broody, which keeps the eggs coming but means they won't usually raise their own chicks. To hatch, you'll want an incubator — our incubation calculator tracks every step.
Space & feeding
A Appenzeller Spitzhauben hen is a small bird at 3.5–4.5 lbs. As a rule of thumb, a small flock of 6 would want around 24 sq ft of coop and 60 sq ft of run, with about 2 nest boxes and 5 ft of roost. Size it to your own flock with the coop size calculator, and estimate the monthly feed bill — and your real cost per egg — with the feed cost calculator.
Is the Appenzeller Spitzhauben right for you?
A great fit if…
- You get real winters and need a hardy bird
- You keep chickens in a hot climate
Think twice if…
- You want the most low-maintenance possible first bird
- You want the absolute maximum egg output
- You want a lap chicken that loves being handled
Appenzeller Spitzhauben FAQ
- How many eggs do Appenzeller Spitzhauben chickens lay?
- A healthy Appenzeller Spitzhauben hen lays about 150–180 white eggs a year — roughly 3 a week, or 13–15 dozen over a year. Output drops during winter and the annual molt, and eases as a hen ages.
- What color eggs do Appenzeller Spitzhaubens lay?
- Appenzeller Spitzhaubens lay white eggs, medium in size.
- How big do Appenzeller Spitzhauben chickens get?
- A Appenzeller Spitzhauben hen weighs roughly 3.5–4.5 lbs — a small bird — with roosters running a little heavier.
- Are Appenzeller Spitzhaubens cold-hardy?
- Yes. The Appenzeller Spitzhauben is rated cold-hardy and rides out hard winters well, provided the coop stays dry and draft-free. Keep water from freezing and check combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze.
- Are Appenzeller Spitzhaubens good for beginners?
- The Appenzeller Spitzhauben is energetic and alert and tends to suit keepers with a little experience more than absolute beginners.
- Do Appenzeller Spitzhauben hens go broody?
- Rarely. Appenzeller Spitzhauben hens seldom go broody, so they keep laying steadily but won't usually hatch their own chicks.
The Appenzeller Spitzhauben shows up in
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