coco Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 Help needed. I have seen an ad for silver spangled appenzeller chicks and am very tempted. The lady has 10 altogether but has said she will sell me three. I am really tempted the only downside is I may end up with three cockrels. Does anyone have any experience with appenzellers and what are they like. do I or don't I. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 They are super birds lively and very bright but its not that easy to rehome boys sadly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 How old are they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted October 22, 2009 Author Share Posted October 22, 2009 11 weeks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 They are lovely birds, mine is quite nervy but is very clever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 How old are they? 11 weeks You should be able to tell if they are boys by then. Ask to see them all and to choose your own. Go for the ones with tiny or no combs/wattles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 Trouble is they have little or no comb really even as adults, their wattles arent up to much either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 From the little I can tell in my research, the girls tend to have some spots on their tails and necks, where as boys tend to be whiter. Here is the breed link from Omlet, go to the far right of the pictures for the silver spangled girl and boy http://www.omlet.co.uk/breeds/breeds.php?breed_type=Chickens&breed=Appenzeller%20Spitzhauben I would say go for the smallest wattles and no comb, and go for the spottiest tails and necks. Just as a warning though, they are very flighty. I have needed to wing clip more feathers than I normally would to allow my Nyssa to free-range Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckingmad Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 ooooOOO!! go for it - but I'm the wrong person to ask as I have a major soft spot for these I'd familiarise yourself with what the girls and boys look like and go from there - alternatively, would the lady be prepared to hold onto some for you till they're a bit older? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 Trouble is they have little or no comb really even as adults, their wattles arent up to much either! Not so sure about that tbh. My friend has a couple of pullets and had their brother too. He had an impressive set of wattles and a strange comb which went either side of his top knot in a 'v' shape, The girls have next to nowt, it is true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 Trouble is they have little or no comb really even as adults, their wattles arent up to much either! Not so sure about that tbh. My friend has a couple of pullets and had their brother too. He had an impressive set of wattles and a strange comb which went either side of his top knot in a 'v' shape, The girls have next to nowt, it is true. Well thats good news! all the ones I have seen have not had a lot, perhaps they were all young so I stand corrected Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted October 23, 2009 Author Share Posted October 23, 2009 Thanks for all your advice but have decided against ths chicks as I would hate too end up with a cockrel [or 2] I couldn't keep. However I have been given an ark which is just the right size for temporary accomodation [and I'm off work for a week in two weeks perfect timing for supervised introduction] so I feel more chickens coming on this weekend. The lady I got my girls from has a POl silver spangled appenzeller on chickens for sale. If she still has her I think it must be fate and I am meant to have her. I might also get a Gingernut Ranger to go with her as they are supposed to be good layers, although she does have Welsummers or she might still have some of the brood that my Silkie crosses came from. So much choice, I'll let you know what I come home with. Ps. I thought I was going to have to sweetalk Oh but I think he has just given up now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckingmad Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 My OH gave up trying to say no a while back However, after I sprang the last three on him I did think I was in trouble, so have now had to promise to be good and no more chooks. For a while at least Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
