Appenzeller Spitzhauben fall within the class of large fowl but are usually small to medium size. They are very active foragers and for their size lay relatively large white eggs and usually in significant numbers. Their beautiful dalmation coloration and blue legs make them an excellent addition to any collection. Following World War II, a German prisoner of war who spent time in a military detention camp in Alabama returned to his native country and acquired some silver Spitzhauben. With the help of his friend, Dr. Albert McGraw, the German brought some hatching eggs to the United States when he returned to gain citizenship to this country. These eggs hatched what was to become the foundation stock of Spitzhauben in the United States. A healthy hen should lay 180 – 230 full size eggs per year and achieve a weight of between 4 – 6 lbs and a rooster should achieve a weight of between 7 - 9 lbs on average.