Appenzeller Spitzhauben chicken farming is less popular. Because it is not an utility bird. Rather it is raised for ornamental or show purposes. It is a very beautiful breed which is noted for it’s very unusual forward-pointing crest and v-shaped comb.
The Appenzeller Spitzhauben chicken breed was originated in the North-Eastern Appenzell region of Switzerland. And it is the national bird of Switzerland, having existed there for Centuries.
The breed was named ‘Appenzeller Spitzhauben chicken’ after the ladies lace bonnets of Appenzellerland. The word ‘Spitzhauben’ means pointed bonnet.
The Appenzeller Spitzhauben chickens are very common in the Switzerland, but it is very rare in the United States and not yet admitted into the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Perfection, and also not by any other breed registries or standards.
There are actually two different varieties of the Appenzeller Spitzhauben chicken breed available. Both varieties appear in either black, golden spangled and silver spangled plumage.
Today the Appenzeller Spitzhauben chicken is raised largely as an ornamental breed and kept for showing. But the hens are also a great layer of white colored eggs.
However, you can start commercial Appenzeller Spitzhauben chicken farming business if you can market the show or ornamental birds easily within your area. You should not start this business commercially if you can’t market the birds easily in your area.
How to Start Appenzeller Spitzhauben Chicken Farming
The Appenzeller Spitzhauben chickens are just like many other domestic chicken breeds. So starting commercial Appenzeller Spitzhauben chicken farming business will be easy.
Here we are trying to describe more information about starting and operating a successful Appenzeller Spitzhauben chicken farming business from purchasing birds to caring and marketing.
Purchase Chickens
First of all, you have to purchase very good quality, healthy and disease free birds for starting your Appenzeller Spitzhauben chicken farming business. Purchasing very good quality birds is very important. Because good quality birds ensure good production.
You can start your Appenzeller Spitzhauben chicken farming business either with day old chicks or with mature birds depending on the availability and price in your area. The mature birds are generally sold at a very high prices in the market. While the day old chicks are much cheaper. So we recommend starting with day old chicks.
You can purchase the day old chicks from any of your nearest poultry chick suppliers, chicken breeding centers or any existing Appenzeller Spitzhauben chicken farms. Just ensure that the chicks are healthy and active. You can also ask for help from an expert if you are a beginner.
Housing
Making a very good, comfortable and secure housing system is very important for Appenzeller Spitzhauben chicken farming business. Because a good house not only helps the birds to stay healthy, but also helps them to stay free from all types of predators and adverse weather conditions.
The type of the house can be any depending on your budget. It can be of full concrete setup, or you can make the house with easily available and low cost materials. Just ensure that the house is comfortable and secure for the birds.
Install good ventilation system while building the house. Good ventilation system is very important, because it helps to reduce harmful gas from inside the house (and keeps your birds healthy).
Make the house in such a way so that you can easily clean the house. The Appenzeller Spitzhauben chickens are classed as a large breed. So a mature bird will require around or up to 5 square feet of housing space.
Feeding
Feeding the birds with very good quality and nutritious food is the most important part of Appenzeller Spitzhauben chicken farming business. So always try to feed your chickens with very good quality, healthy and nutritious food.
You can feed your chickens either with ready-made/commercial poultry feeds or you can prepare the feeds of your own. Just ensure that the food is good and nutritious for your birds.
Never feed your chickens with contaminated feeds. And always try to provide them with enough clean and fresh water as per their demand.
The Appenzeller Spitzhauben chickens are good for raising in both confined and free range system. But raising them in free range system will help to reduce feeding costs, and at the same time it will improve the quality of the products.
Breeding
The Appenzeller Spitzhauben chickens are naturally very good breeders. They will breed easily and produce fertile eggs for hatching if you keep good ratio of hens and roosters in your flock. Generally one healthy rooster is enough for breeding around or up to 10 hens.
Caring
The Appenzeller Spitzhauben chickens generally require less caring and other management. Although taking additional caring will help the birds to stay healthy and produce more.
Monitor your bird’s health on a regular basis and take necessary steps if you notice anything uncommon. Vaccinate them timely and always try to keep good contact with a vet in your area.
Marketing
As we have mentioned above, you should start Appenzeller Spitzhauben chicken farming business if you can market the ornamental or show birds easily in your area. You should set your marketing strategies before starting this business.
These are the common steps and ways for starting and operating a successful Appenzeller Spitzhauben chicken farming business. Hope this guide has helped you! Good luck & may God bless you!
