Swiss Hens are thought to be developed by Albert Weiss from Amriswil, Switzerland, who cross bred Orpingtons and Wyandottes. A breeding club was set up to decide on the standards required for the breed. As membership grew, the breeding then focused on improving the Swiss Hen, so that it put on more weight and produced more eggs. After the Second World War, the industrialization of farming meant that other breeds that were more productive were favored.

Swiss Hens are now rare. They are a hardy breed that can tolerate cold conditions as their rose comb is naturally protected from frost. The thick feathering is white in color and they have red wattles and earlobes. The hens are good layers and can produce around 200 eggs per year, even throughout the winter months, and they do not tend to go broody. Mature males weigh around 3.2 kg and the females 2.5 kg.