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Wednesday, 02 March 2011

Appenzeller Spitzhauben one of the most distinctive looking chickens

Though you may have never heard it before, an Appenzeller Spitzhauben is a fascinating breed of chicken. Switzerland considers it to be the national chicken of the country. Its name comes from the frilly hat worn by women from the Appenzeller region in Switzerland. Brought to America by a doctor who successfully introduced the breed for the long term here, the Spitz, as it is called, is a pretty popular bird. Wonder what an Appenzeller Spitzhauben is, and what is curious about it? Then, join the rapidly growing group of people who love this distinctive breed of chicken. Named for its fluffy crest that looks so much like the lacy hats worn by women in the Appenzeller region in Switzerland, the Swiss national chicken is now part of backyard flocks all over the world.

Appenzellers are distinctively beautiful. They have black and white speckled feathers that give them a festive look. Their feather crest also adds a bit of silliness to an otherwise pompous looking head. They like to roam around, and are intelligent, so they actually make quite good pets.

Once you decide that you may enjoy owning them, you can purchase baby chicks and even unhatched eggs online. Breeders will take orders for chicks, and also give you good information about how to ensure they arrive safely to you. Any questions about how to feed and care for your Spitz, as they are called, are often answered at the breeder websites.

There are plenty of advantages to having these chickens as pets. For one thing, they will lay eggs. They are great at producing medium to large sized white eggs. The average egg count per year is about 140 to 160 eggs. You will reap the benefits of feeding and caring for them by having fresh, organic eggs with healthy orange yolks. The darker yolk color results from feeding chickens well, and this means more nutrition for your family.

Some people who keep chickens really enjoy the different personalities each has. They find that they may be able to pick up their favorite, carry it, and pet it much like they would a family dog or cat. You may be very surprised that this is possible. It may take a bit of doing with a Spitzhauben but they can learn to like being touched.

Because the birds enjoy foraging for insects, they can be left alone for hours when insects are abundant. They are more quiet than other chickens, and they fly quite well. Good at climbing trees, they may tend to find the closest ones, and sit there for hours.

Some owners find that the Spitz stay cleaner and need less watering. The general thinking is that the birds are smaller in size and tend to be less messy because of it. These chickens also love to roost up in your trees. Some families have found that their chickens are all up in the trees, rather in than in their coop. You may find that this happens to you too, and that the flock may not return to the coop unless it becomes very cold. For these reasons, Spitz have the reputation of being independent, though interesting.

Appenzeller Spitzhauben are probably one of the most distinctive looking chickens you can have as a pet. If you can put up with their tendencies to fly and climb trees, then you will enjoy their lovely speckled feathers. Just plan on putting up sturdy fencing if need be, and then have fun with these delightful chickens.
Spangled color of the Ancona Chicken

In the mid eighteen hundreds, the popular Ancona chicken was shipped to England out of the originating city of Ancona, Italy. It then made its way to America in the late eighteen hundreds. From far away Ancona, In the Province of Ancona, Italy, the popular Ancona chicken was sent to England in the early eighteen hundreds, followed in the late eighteen hundreds by a trip to America. From its origins in Italy to spreading around the world.

The spangled color of the Ancona most likely came from the intermingling of the Original Mottled Leghorn and the Black Leghorn. The Ancona inherited greenish black feathers (some purple tinting) with tips of white. Also got those lovely yellow, featherless legs ending in four well-spaced toes. Yes, toes... And earlobes of white. Yes, earlobes! Of course, toes assist with balance. Very important in chasing bugs... For a chicken. Ears as well! The Anconas in Italy feature colors of reds, browns and white, sometimes showing up with copper color in the hackles on the neck.

On top of the head of the hen, will be found a single floppy comb with the rooster sporting a very straight and tall one. A second variety is the rose colored comb. Their sharp eyesight from the bay colored eyes and its coloring, aids it in staying away from the bad guys!

There are Red Australian types, Bantam and many large and smaller kinds. They are pretty common. The Australian variety is red with white specks on the neck area feathers.

As they all age and moult (lose their feathers, to be replaced) the white on the tips becomes larger, a good way to tell how old the bird is. At about four and a half pounds, the hen weighs lighter than the six pound rooster. Living around eight years, being kept as a pet, as well as an egg producer, would be OK.

About once a day during the laying season, the Ancona will produce one egg, totaling one hundred sixty to one hundred eighty a year. Occasionally tinted eggs will show up. As the hens eat, the food they consume changes to egg production in a very satisfactory manner. This should please the owner!

When they do choose to sit a clutch of eggs, the hens can grow a nice little batch of chickies that are durable and strong. The babies, if taken from the hen and cared for by hand, can become quite happy little pets. Teach them tricks and to come when called and they and the owner will be pleased!

As stated earlier, the hen is quite an active, busy little bird, unlike the rooster, who chooses to wander around at a slower pace. Both, however, can fly over a fence so build the chicken yard with lots of thought. Keep them in and wild critters out. Both hen and rooster prefer wide open spaces. More room to chase those bugs! Being unaffected by normal cold weather will enable a sufficient chicken house to be built. This is where the nests will be and provide protection from the nasties that prey upon them.

In doing research, there can be found a funny piece of information. There is an online game of magic that uses the Ancona Chicken as a pet, although it is a non-fighting pet, that can be called forth to follow the warrior around. He wont assist in combat, however! Why don't chickens like people? They beat eggs! (snicker, chuckle!).
Enjoy the Buttercup Chicken

It is a good layer although the eggs are reportedly small in size and few in number. There seems to be some controversy, however, surrounding the topic of keeping the Sicilian buttercup chicken as a pet. Some experts claim it makes a good pet because it can be very friendly and curious. The buttercup chicken, also known as the Sicilian Buttercup, was developed in the 1800's in Sicily. It is reported that one female and one male were imported to the US later in that century and today's line remain the direct descendants of the original couple. This line of chicken is rare, beautiful and exhibition worthy, a life-long layer and a pretty good pet.

It is a good layer although the eggs are reportedly small in size and few in number. There seems to be some controversy, however, surrounding the topic of keeping the Sicilian buttercup chicken as a pet. Some experts claim it makes a good pet because it can be very friendly and curious.

Some propose that although it is friendly, it also a good flier, and so, enjoys its independence too much to be kept as a pet. A third group of experts believe that the Buttercup avoids human contact completely. They all agree, however, that baby chicks can be trained to enjoy interaction with humans.

Chicks seem to be limited in numbers but can be ordered online from several hatcheries. The males are reportedly the friendlier version of the breed. Experts agree that this breed does not enjoy confinement and will enjoy human company best when given lots of free range room and a warm habitat.

Providing a warm coop will protect this chicken's unique comb from frostbite. The breed had acquired its name because of its golden toned feathers and its butter-cup shaped comb which looks exactly like a crown.

The stunning crown and golden feathers make the buttercup chicken quite an attractive bird and its is often displayed at exhibitions. The variety was admitted to the "American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection" in 1918. The hen's feathers are normally rich amber, or golden in color, complimented with rows of brown spots or "spangles". The males usually sport a dark green tail and their feathers orange-reddish with black "spangles".

It is stated that the hens will mature early and start laying when they are 5 months old. The hens are not very productive but will lay an average of 2 eggs per week for their entire life. Again, there seems to be some controversy amongst experts regarding the appearance of the eggs as well. Some claim that they are white and lean toward the small size. Others claim that the eggs have a tint or hew to them.

It may seem odd to think of chickens as pets. Even the name, chicken, will often elicit giggles. Given warm living quarters with adequate room and an outdoor space large enough in which to fly, peck, scratch, walk and sunbathe, any chicken will be happy to be kept as a pet. Bear in mind that buttercup chickens are certainly not the type to be kept in small, cold quarters.

Some Buttercup chickens can be very engaging and they are, as a breed, very entertaining. The odd few might be willing learn to sit in one's lap. When hand-raised from newborn chicks, they will learn how to respond to their name, eat out of one's hand and even allow themselves to be cuddled or stroked. Like any pet, chickens respond well to rewards of food and positive reinforcement.

A buttercup chicken can become a fun and intriguing pet when raised in a warm, clean environment. Since they lay only two eggs weekly, depending on this breed as a source of food wouldn't be the wisest choice. As a pet, however, a buttercup chicken is gorgeous and intriguing to look at, entertaining, great company and certainly makes for an unique conversation piece.