Description
The Silver Spangled Spitzhauben, chicken also known as Appenzeller Spitzhauben (pointed hood) chicken, originated in Switzerland and is their national bird. This chicken is very rare in the United States and not yet admitted to the American Standard of Perfection. Noted characteristics are cavernous nostrils, horn type comb and mid size forward-pointing head crest which gives them their name. Cackle Hatchery® imported 3 breeding roosters of the Appenzeller Silver Spangled Spitzhaubens in 2013 to improve and work on our breeding program. Traditionally in the states most Spitzhaubens have the crest going backward and too much of a crest. Cackle Hatchery® would like to be instrumental in correcting this breeding issue with our own flock and hope others follow. Spitzhauben chickens are a good free range chicken and do not do well confined. They are active, alert and like to roost in trees.
Also may like our Crested “Top Hat” Special.
For more information about this breed check out our blog Breed Spotlight: Appenzeller Spitzhaubens
lajems65 –
I have two different hens that I received in two different orders over the last two years. They have such great personalities. One follows us around demanding treats and likes having her own special pile, the other also loves her special treats and waits for me when it is time to shut them in and flies over the fence when she sees me so i can carry her inside. Love my spitzhaubens
lassiedail –
Very attractive and active birds. They are more independent than many of my standard chickens, wanting to roost in a fig tree. One female has a funny crow-like voice. I love watching them forage.
Wayne Isaac –
Last year I’ve ordered three Silver Spangled Appenzeller spitzhauben chicks and received three Silver Spangled Hamburg chicks. One of them died the day after arriving. The other two are healthy and beautiful but they are not what I’ve ordered.
Cackle Hatchery (store manager) –
I’m sorry you’ve had this experience! I tried looking into this order to further assist you however, I’m not finding you in our system. Please reach out to help@cacklehatchery.com if you’d like to discuss this further.
carolinabayroan –
I wish the reviews would allow for photos, I took several of my chicks just to make a review. So far so good at 3 weeks. I ordered silver spangled and chamois spitzhaubens, and received extra of both to my delight. They are flighty as described, all came healthy and are thriving. This is my first time ordering chicks online through a hatchery and I’ll continue to order through cackle, very pleased with these birds.
Joyce Evenson –
Our Spitzhauben arrived this am. Very happy with these little guys and super excited to see them grow. Received everyone healthy n happy with extras (deeply appreciate it). They are great egg layers and foragers as a breed and very economical to keep. Perfect for homesteading or a survivalist chicken as these guys are super adaptable and have a great look while being highly functional (not something you find too frequently in most chicken breeds–it’s often either looks or function, but rarely both). My other spitzhauben are great around kids, just keeping a proper distance between themselves and any “danger.” Not a lap chicken unless you work with them, but not overly flighty or aggressive by any means.
levityspotion –
I love my Spitzhaubens! Got the first ones from Cackle and I have their descendants. They are cute, quirky, friendly, mellow. Excellent layers! Mid size. Most importantly, though, I want to comment on Cackle’s description that they don’t tolerate confinement….sure they do! I no longer free range my flock due to hawks and the Spitzhaubens are just fine with that. They are calm and happy in their run, just as my other breeds are. Description also says they roost in trees? Nonsense. Even when my flock free ranged, they always went back in the coop at sundown. They are no different than my Sussex’s, leghorns, barred rocks, Orpingtons in their tame-ness and behaviors. Don’t miss out on this most excellent breed. We need more of them in the world!
Beverley Arnholt –
Sweetest, smartest and prettiest chickens I’ve met so far. I ordered 15 and got 18… all thrived! I kept 4 girls and a roo who have just turned 5 months old and they are my friendliest, most curious chickens. They’re not at all flighty, and will hop on me to see what’s happening when I’m doing chores in the pen. They’ve just started laying and are laying an egg a day despite it being mid- December. They’re also quite tidy as far as chickens go. Cackle’s birds are very correct – my appenzellers all have forward, tidy crests, dark legs and no squirrel tails. There are no downsides to these chickens 🙂
crown.c.aussies –
My favorite bird!
I ordered a rare breed assortment and got both a Silver and Golden Spangled Spitzhauben! The silver is the sweetest thing and loves to hangout by my feet anywhere I go it just nap while sitting in my lap! I would definitely order more!!
msmidwifery –
Family Favorite
I’ve raised chickens for decades. Every spring I get a new breed or two. The only chickens I keep into ripe old age are the Spitzhaubens (the rest get given away or stewed after about three years), because by then each of them has declared herself to have a unique personality. Our only chicken to have a name was Mary, a spitzhauben. She lived 14 years, survived record setting floods, attack by a Great Horned owl (who took a slower moving cornishX instead), predation by wandering beagle, possum, fox….Even at 14 years old she was the top hen in the flock. She’d get loose and follow us around, chatting amiably. All our friends knew her by name because she would greet them as they walked up the path to the door. She just perished this spring when the coyotes found our barn which I had forgotten to close one night 🙁 —I found her body close to the entrance, and I am pretty sure she died defending the flock. Of all the chickens we’ve had, she is the one who will actually receive a proper burial (she’s in the freezer till Spring).
Our spitz roosters have always been pleasant as well.
Nagid –
Birds are great, doing well!
Great dealing with Jeff. The first batch I got of the Silver Spangled Appenzellers gotchilled at the airport and did not make it after arriving here in Fl. Called and they did a reorder for a few weeks later and they have all done well. I did have one hen who went broody and raised her own biddies and she was only about 8 months old. She had a hidden nest that I did find until she was setting. Had about half rosters so have 8 hens still laying at his time. Really pretty birds!
Virginia –
Stellar birds!
I ordered the Silver Spangled Appenzeller Spitzhaubens from Cackle after doing extensive research on both the breed and hatchery.
Pros: Dalmation chicken with a mohawk. Really, what isn’t to love? Birds are quirky and curious, very social. First of my order to start laying at only 6 months. Easily incorporated into my existing flock, doing well in the mix. Hens have a very distinctive call, and are very chatty birds (which we love).
Cons: Easily startled, can fly quite a distance. Can be a challenge to keep them in sight while free-ranging. Pronouncing their full name is both difficult and makes one sound rather pretentious.
Overall: Stellar birds! Very pretty, friendly, and nice egg layers. Do well confined and in a mixed flock.
Joe –
Great birds
I have ordered them twice in 2019. The first was a test run to see if we liked the breed. Then a big order in mid summer. Very friendly and love to climb. Not flighty but very curious.
Little C –
Great addition to my flock
My daughter wanted Polish chickens but I had read they were more susceptible to prey attack because their sight is hampered by feathers in their eyes. That’s where Appenzellar Spithaubens entered – still very adorable with fancy feathers but not in their eyes. Cackle Hatchery did an excellent job shipping 4 chicks (I ordered 3). 1 chick has grown to be a very handsome rooster, the other 3 chicks are on the small side, a bit Bantee like, but I am still very happy with my purchase.
Brenda –
Hardy
After the chickens are about 3-4 months old they are very hardy. Had some loss to stress as chicks. Good egg layers. Love to brood
Wolfee –
Best Chickens Ever
The best rooster I have ever had the pleasure of knowing came from our order of these spectacular & interesting birds. The hens are equally stunning in appearance & we had no bad apples behaviorally. They all develop slightly different spot patterns (unique to the individuals, like spots on a dalmation or stripes on a tiger), which helps family members & guests tell them apart better than if you got solid colored common breeds- which are identified with greater effort, knowledge of personalities, or giving them bracelets/legbands. Our roosters also each grew slightly varying mowhawks of feathers on their heads (come on, can these chickens look any more awesome? I think not). After over a decade of bird experience & all the bird companions I’ve worked with/raised, I have to say Cackle Hatchery really left a good impression on us with wide selection, reasonable prices, speedy delivery of healthy peeping babies packed carefully, & zero chick losses of order. Whether you’re looking for some character-filled companion birds, or enjoying raising good-tempered hens who gift you healthy eggs at home, these chickens should definitely cross your mind. I notice people label birds as “dual-purpose” sometimes; Silver Spangled Appenzeller Spitzhaubens do not grow freakishly fast (aka- obese in couple weeks), they are heritage breed birds which grow at a NORMAL growth rate- You can still eat them & enjoy the meat, if you plan on keeping chickens for longer than a couple weeks or if you want to establish a long-term flock, these birds will be more apt to develop healthier & have the potential to live longer than overly inbred or genetically altered breeds. Half our flock are S.S.A.S.- the eggs are delicious & the rate of lay is perfect for a family. Plenty for us, with a little to share or trade with friends. Don’t be discouraged by first eggs being tiny, they get bigger as the hen continues growing & level off at medium size.
Rich –
Great chickens
I have a verity of chickens from cackle. I’d say the spitzhaubens are my favorite free rangers of the group. They are one of the most adventurous breeds. They find enough food that they don’t care to show up for dinner sometimes and once they are full grown seem to be able to avoid predation very well. We also don’t have large Hawks or eagles where I live.
Johnette –
Spitzhaubens
Spitzhaubens are great chickens, one of my favorite breeds! Not just because they are so unique looking with their top knots, but they lay a very nice size egg to be a medium sized bird!. They can forage for half their food, so I don’t have to pour tons of feed to them, like some birds. But one of my favorite reasons I like Spitzhaubens is their little personalities! They are friendly and always want to help out around the farm! Never a dull moment with Spitzhaubens!
Becca –
Lovely Birds
I love this breed and they came healthy and hearty. I have one roo and two hens. They are beautiful birds.
MJM –
Lovely, intelligent birds
I’ll admit it: I wanted a few Silver Spangled Appenzeller Spitzhauben Chickens simply because of their looks. They’re gorgeous birds, upright in build and beautifully marked. I was pleasantly surprised at their appealing personalities and intelligence. The roosters aren’t aggressive, which was a relief; I won’t have a nasty-tempered rooster here. They’re smart birds: One of the hens gently tugs at my pants leg when I’m not feeding them fast enough, and one of the roosters likes to escape from the run daily and greet me halfway to the house or barn when I’m doing livestock chores, then keeps me company. They lay a smaller, perfectly white well-formed egg, and although they don’t keep up with the Marans for egg quantity, they aren’t slackers, either. They’re not easy to catch but neither are they crazy flighty, and they get along well with the rest of the poultry. They aren’t fighters and they aren’t bullies. I recommend the breed for anyone who wants to add some dazzle to their flock or who enjoys birds with interesting personalities – or even those who will enjoy announcing, “I’ve got some Silver Spangled Appenzeller Spitzhaubens” to friends.
Ken –
Happy with our order
We ordered 20 silver spangled Spitzhauben from Cackle to be delivered 2 May, 2017. The bird arrived right on time. All alive and healthy. The pullets began laying in September. Out of 13 pullets, we are averaging about 6 eggs a day. They are good foragers, not flighty and generally fit in well with our flock (80+ birds). We did butcher the roosters as they are my sons FFA egg layers. I would definitely recommend these if someone wants a small easy keeping egg layer.
DustyRider –
These are nice birds!
I received 6 of these chicks in a Cackle Surprise box. I was thrilled. I read some reviews online that say they don’t do well confined and are very flighty, so was very apprehensive about them. They have done spectacularly well confined in a large coop mixed with other breeds. They have been very friendly – even friendlier than other breeds who are supposed to be calmer or less flighty. The coloring is beautiful and they seem to have really good feed conversion/growth ratio compared to other breeds I have raised. I highly recommend these!
Phyllis –
Beautiful bird’s
Want to correct my review. These birds look good with my Silkies and my barred cochens. Spell check can make a person look crazy….. love my birds.Recommend Cackle Hatchery. Will order again. I want some Speckled Sussex.
Pammidoc –
Awesome !
chicks came very promptly ! Even an extra chick thanks ! They were all healthy, and very energetic. Day 12 and I can’t wait for them to mature .
Phyllis –
Beautiful birds
They are so unique and look great with my willies and barred cocaine. Great addition to my free range poultry.
Wishbone Creek Farm –
A+
Ordered twice from Cackle. Never lost a chick during shipping and always appreciate the extras thrown in. Very happy to start my flock with the Cackle Hatchery bloodline.
Jayzandra –
Fabulous!
I received a few Spitzenhaubens in my surprise box and just wanted to let you the quality of your birds are excellent!
Hayden –
Exceeded Expectations
I ordered a dozen Appenzeller Spitzhaubens, along with three broilers. I received two extra Spitzhaubens and an extra broiler, all birds arrived safe and happy a day before scheduled arrival. First time owning poultry, very happy. I would definetally (and plan to) order from Cackle again, very excited to watch my birds grow!
Connie North Carolina June 2009 –
Cackle Hatchery
Just a short note to let you know that I picked up the little ones this am at our post office. All are alive, drinking and eating up a storm!!!! Thank you so much for your attention to how you raise and ship chickens. It is MUCH appreciated. Next year when we get ourselves better situated I am sure there will be a substantial order coming from us.
Ingrid Wisconsin August 2009 –
Love my Chickens
I just want to write and tell you that you have the prettiest Ameraucanas and I am so pleased with them, my Blue Polish and my German Spitzhaubem. I ordered 5 each of the above, got three brown (one a pretty brown-and-red like a robin) and two blue Araucanas, and six each of the other two breeds. I am lucky that the other two straight run orders turned out to be three of each gender! The Blue Polish are absolutely adorable and the Spitzhauben are very jaunty. Every one of these birds has their own identifying trait to distinguish them from the other. The Polish and Spitzhauben cockerels have the cutest crows – they sound like bantams.
Lynn California January 2010 –
Cackle Hatchery
My niece took on of your White Yokohomas to the Denver Stock Show. The hen took Best of Breed, Best Variety and Reserve ASOB. The Yokohoma Cock was Reserve Breed and Reserve Variety. Her brother show the Spitzhauben and Won Best of Breed and Best Variety. Thank you for sending such beautiful birds.
Margie, Alabama March 2013 –
Cackle Hatchery
Just wanted to say thanks so much for the courtesy calls from your company on my chicken issue. I am not in the least upset with anyone other than myself. We will be re-ordering and looking forward to more beautiful baby chicks from you. Again thanks and have never conducted business over the net with anyone more cordial as you guys have been.
Wanda, Texas April 2013 –
Chicks
Now on the other chicks (Splash Cochins and Sussex) I think you may have crossed them with Michael Jordan. They have the biggest feet I’ve ever seen on an almost month old chick. My husband said he was so glad chickens didn’t wear tennis shoes.:>))) One of the Sussex is named Trouble and that’s enough said on her. Such a personality on that girl! The Cochins and Sussex are beautiful and the Spitzhauben are GORGEOUS! chicks. I wish I had room to build another chicken house and pen for a 100 of them. Wonderful looking chicks!!! I’m tickled to have them. Thanks so much,
Anne Kansas July 2010 –
Cackle Hatchery
I wanted to thank you for your help with our poultry order this year. It was was disheartening to lose so many chicks and I really appreciated you calling me personally to do some troubleshooting. I also want to thank you for the beautiful replacement chicks you sent. They are doing fine and it was so nice to get to try some of the breeds that were sold out before. As a side note I was to say how impressed I am with your Spitzhaubens. They are perky, energetic and extremely friendly. Plus they are a treat to look at! Thank you for your top notch service, personal attention and prize-winning birds.
Johnette, Texas May 2015 –
Cackle people
Just to let you know my order was received today and all chicks were in excellent condition! Everyone was healthy and vigorous and seemed happy to be at their new home! Your staff was very pleasant and courteous and we actually received our order a day sooner than expected! Thank you for providing us with quality chicks and great service again!
Aaron Kentucky June 2014 –
Thank You
I ordered 5 buff orpington 5 silver laced cochin 5 silver laced Wyandotte and some German Spitzhauben. I could not be happier. Keep up the good work.
Toby Oklahoma July 2014 –
Thank You
I just wanted to say thank you for the excellent service and communications. The customer service department was great, very patient and understanding. This was my first chick purchase and I wasn’t sure how everything worked so I was a little concerned. All the chicks arrived in great condition and I couldn’t be happier with the folks at Cackle Hatchery! Thanks Again,
Dan, Kansas May 2011 –
Thanks
Just a quick note to say the new arrivals are here in the best condition. Thank You