Sunday, April 5, 2009

Appenzeller Spitzhauben

This week I hope to photograph and share the rare breed chicks with you. Since they are wiggly balls of fluff, this is no easy task.

Here's an Appenzeller Spitzhauben chick. This breed comes from Switzerland, and is actually their national bird. (I believe Benjamin Franklin suggested a turkey as ours, but was ruled out in favor of the eagle. Note that politically Switzerland has been know for peace, and the U.S. for war...) They were named after the local lace bonnets worn by the ladies of Appenzellerland as apart of their traditional dress. As is beginning to be seen in this chick, the breeds' most recognizable feature is its forward crest.

There are very few in America, and they have not yet been admitted into the American Standard of Perfection. They are mainly raised for their white eggs. I can tell these chicks are already full of personality!

1 comment:

Unknown said...

"Note that politically Switzerland has been know for peace, and the U.S. for war...)"

Note that, politically, women in Appenzell were just given the right to vote in the 90s. Not to mention the whole war profiteering thing. And that chicks and many - if not most - baby farm animals are apolitical.

'Ignorant American' is a two-way street.

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