Appenzeller is the rarest breed of domestic chickens hailing from Switzerland.
These birds were bred by local farmers to create an ideal breed, attracting breeders not only with a V-shaped ridge and lush tuft, but also with meat and egg productivity.
Unfortunately, the European population of Appenzellers is significantly reduced every year.
The Appenzellers were bred by Swiss farmers. Due to the too narrow distribution area, this breed of chickens was considered very rare for a long time, but now even some Russian farms have started breeding it.
Initially, breeders wanted to create an unusual breed of birds, leading an active lifestyle. They also sought to create domestic chickens capable of early egg-laying. As a result, Swiss specialists managed to create a precocious breed with normal egg productivity.
Breed description Appenzeller
Uppenzellera create the impression of harmoniously folded bird of the light type. Individuals of this breed have a small body size.
One of the most remarkable features is a small tuft on the cranial bone, a V-shaped ridge and a cylindrical body with a falling back and a fan-shaped tail. At the same time, the upper part of the body forms a smooth line, which gradually passes into the neck and tail of the Uppenzellers.
Roosters of this breed have a medium sized head. It has a noticeable elevation of the skull, where the tuft is pressed and squeezed forward.
It does not protrude beyond the head and always has a pointed end. The beak of the Appenzeller is very strong, painted in bluish colors. Nasal openings well defined.
The crest is V-shaped, formed by two small horns. The standard of the breed states that they should not diverge strongly, and should not have growths.
Eyes brown, strongly protruding. Red face is not feathered. The ear lobes are of medium length, oval in shape. They are painted in white and blue. Earrings with medium, rounded and very delicate.
The neck of an average Uppenzeller is strongly bent back. On it grows a magnificent mane. The body of the breed is medium, rounded and slightly falls back. Its lowest point is at the base of the lush tail.
The back of the Appenzellers is average, falling. On the lower back grows long and magnificent plumage. The chest is full and convex. Roosters have a little raised. Belly full.
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The wings of the breed are long, but fit snugly to the body. The lower legs are well marked due to the close-fitting plumage. Hocks of medium length, made up of thin bones. Plumage on them is missing.
The Appenzeller chickens have exactly the same signs as the roosters, but they have a deeper body, the belly is well developed, and the back is almost horizontal. The lyre back line smoothly passes into the neck and tail line with a round transition.
Uppenzeller can be black, silver-black or golden-black. Black individuals are characterized by a completely dark color with a small greenish overflow.
Silver-black chickens differ almost white color of the upper body. The wings, loin and tail are painted in black and white plumage with a clear pattern. The lower part of the abdomen and the back of the body are gray in color.
Golden-black color is similar to silver-black, but instead of white color, the animals have golden color.
Features
As for the aboriginal Swiss breed, the Appenzeller hens are excellent layers. That is why these birds were often bred in many private farms of Switzerland.
In addition, Appenzeller chicks always hatch chicks well, so breeders do not need to worry about buying an incubator.
Farmers wishing to breed this breed need to know that she has a very lively disposition. Because of this, the birds need to be released into the spacious territory for walking, where they will look for insects, seeds and green food.
In general, hens of the Appenzeller breed get along well with other poultry. They never become a cause of conflict in the yard, so they can be placed in a common poultry house.
It is also important that chickens of this breed have the strongest health. They are able to live in high mountain regions, in the conditions of severe winter and hot summer. That is why they are well suited for breeding in the Russian context.
Unfortunately, this breed is difficult to buy in Russia. Only some poultry farms and isolated private breeders are engaged in its breeding. More often, this breed of domestic chickens is found in genetic reserves.
Content and cultivation
Keep Appenzellerov need in spacious poultry houses, having a yard for walking.
While walking these birds can be let out on the territory of the garden, however you need to make sure that they do not run away. Many Uppenzeller have an inquisitive natureso they can try to step outside the yard.
Feeding this breed of chickens is no different from feeding other breeds, but farmers need to know that the young Appenzellers need special vitaminized feed. They will significantly improve the health of chickens, making them more resistant to various diseases.
Specifications
The total weight of Appenzeller roosters can vary from 1.5 to 1.8 kg. Layers of this rare breed can gain a mass of up to 1.5 kg.
They are able to lay up to 180 eggs in the first year of productivity, but then the egg production of the breed drops to 150 eggs. On average, each egg with a light shell has a mass of 55 g. For breeding, it is better to select the largest specimen.
Where can I buy in Russia?
On the territory of Russia the farm is engaged in breeding this breed "Bird village". Here you can buy adults, large eggs for incubation and diurnal young of the rare breed Appenzler.
The farm is located in the Yaroslavl region, in a good, ecologically clean region, just 140 km from Moscow. You can find out the cost of products from farm managers by calling +7 (916) 795-66-55.
Analogs
The French Chickens La Flush have the same unusual appearance. Instead of the usual toothed comb, they grow a small V-shaped ridge.
In addition to the unusual appearance of the birds please good egg productivity and high quality meat. Unfortunately, this breed is quite rare in Russia.
Another breed of chickens with an unusual comb, are Italian Polverara. This is really a productive and unusual breed of domestic chickens, but it is quite rare, so its acquisition can be a problem for an amateur breeder. Most often, Polverara are found in private collections of poultry lovers.
Conclusion
For three hundred years, the Swiss Hens Appenzellers have been the most popular chickens in this country. They attracted farmers with high productivity and good meat quality at that time, but now new breeds are starting to appear in Europe.
The number of Appenzellers is constantly decreasing, therefore professional farms are engaged in breeding them.
