Polish Chickens are also famous by other names like Paduan Chickens. The cap of feathers on top of their head makes them interesting from other breeds. Crest of Polish chickens gives them a different look from other chicken breeds. They are the most popular choice due to their friendly temperament for backyard poultry keepers.
Their calm and friendly temperament makes them a popular choice for backyard flocks. They are small and don’t lay as many eggs as other chickens, usually about 150-200 eggs annually. However, their eggs are known to be larger than the common layers, so they are a great addition to any egg-laying flock. Regarding care and maintenance,
Polish chickens require regular grooming, including baths, haircuts, and nail trims to keep their crest of feathers clean and free from dirt and waste. They are a strong breed, but in intense cold and exposure to freezing temperatures, they can suffer from frostbite and damage to skin and tissue, so special attention is needed.
Characteristics of Polish Chickens
This bird has many names, like Poland, tophat, and Paduan. Charles Darwin classified a chicken theory about this breed as resembling those worn by Polish soldiers because they have sprouting plumes on the feathered caps like topknot on the head of the bird, and the American Poultry recognizes this.
They are commonly known as “The Top Hat Chicken” because of their crest full of feathers placed at the top of their head. Their Feathery heads are distinctive from others, and they are exhibition birds with ornamental and showcase qualities.
Polish Chickens are loved for their looks. Polish chickens have a distinctive appearance, and you can easily distinguish them from other breeds. The skin of this bird is White. Polish Chickens like a dry and warm environment; they are warm, hardy, and tolerant of heat easily.
Keep reading this article to learn more about these feathered cap chickens…
Noise Levels
Polish chickens are a bit louder than others, and it’s bearable. On a scale of 1-5, they are given 2.5 points. Polish Rooster isn’t very loud crowing, either. But You can’t keep your hens in urban areas where neighbors are likely to complain.
Egg Production
Polish hens will lay their first egg around 20 to 24 weeks and then lay an egg regularly. They tend to start laying a bit late but continuously lay once they mature. You can expect 200 eggs in their first year with a well-balanced diet.
Hens are prolific layers and typically lays between 2 – 5 eggs per week and 150 to 200 eggs per year. Their eggs are white, and lay medium-sized white eggs.
Average size & lifespan
They are small birds, Males about 12-16 inches tall and Females about 10-14 inches tall. They weigh much less than other breeds and can fly well. Their Males weigh around 6 lbs. and females weigh 4.5 lbs. This is the domestic bird, with the average lifespan of these birds around 7 to 9 years.
Size
Polish varieties come in two different sizes that the American Poultry Association acknowledges:
- Standard
- Bantam
Exciting Facts About Polish
Physical Appearance
Polish chicken has a bump that makes it unique and beautiful. They are medium-sized chickens with moderately long and straight backs and broad shoulders. Their wings are fairly long and close to the body. They have white ear lobes, with comb and wattles red. They have white skin with black legs or feet.
Poultry Association accepted three Polish varieties, including:
- Bearded
- Non-Bearded
- Frizzled
Color Varieties
Their feather colors are the leading beauty in them. Crested Polish chickens come in various variety of colors recognized by American farmers and chicken fanciers:
1. Non-bearded white crested
- Black
- Blue
- Mottled
2. Bearded
- White
- Buff Laced
- Silver Laced
- Golden Laced
- Tolbent
- Mottled
Polish Chicken Male Vs Female
Polish Chickens are known for many characteristics which make them the prettiest breed. The main difference between male and female breeds is that a bony prominence on the skull supports the plume. Rooster isn’t a tidy mop of feathers, while Hen has a good and tidy “pom pom” hairdo.
Male
Female
Polish Chicken Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Care And Tips
Water On The Brain
One of the issues of the Polish breed is the water on the brain. In this condition, they act like silly chickens and may walk backward and run in circles, confusing us with Marek’s Disease. That is why extra care should be taken. This disease is also called Hydrocephalus.
Bumblefoot
Bumblefoot is not only a Polish chicken problem but for many chickens. In Bumblefoot, Bacteria go into the foot through an open wound. Firstly, black scabs are noticed on their foot, and then they start walking slowly or standing in one place. It’s dangerous because they can pass it through eggs to their chicks.
The best practice is to consult your vet for any diseases or conditions. A clean and hygienic environment and well-balanced feed keep them away from many diseases.
Coop Setup
Planning a Coop setup for Polish chickens is essential; the head feathers can also get frozen in intense cold weather. So, a well-ventilated and dry chicken coop is necessary to keep chickens healthy. The Chicken coop must have a clean, solid surface. Regularly wash the coop’s walls, doors, and ceiling with a water and vinegar mixture for a better hygienic environment.
Polish Chicken Eye Problems
This breed has limited and blocked vision due to the top feathers of both sexes. They are facedown to aerial predation because it limits their vision. They can be easily surprised and nervous, so be careful not to frighten them.
Eye Infection
Hens and roosters have large, puffy feathers on the top of their skull. Their eye may be infected due to their head feathers because feathers can cause dust and dirt particles that can cause eye infections. As I discussed, their eyes are hidden by the crest and have limited vision due to their puff feathers, which must be trimmed regularly to ensure they can see all angles.
Health Issues
They can be tensed and tend to common health issues like mites, lice, and eye problems. Make sure they have a protein-rich diet if you want to take care of their health and feathers. These chickens may be great backyard pets for families.
Special Needs
Chicken with a crest likes a warm climate with a dry environment. Polish chickens prefer a dry, warm climate and are heat-tolerant if provided with shade. They do not do as well in cold weather because their crests can become waterlogged and cause the birds to be chilled.
Polish Chicken Guide
The pecking order for chickens at the top is essential to participating in the flock. They are strong and healthy as compared to other flock members. They must watch for predators and assist others when a hawk appears, or a close swish is heard in the bushes.
Nesting Boxes
They like dim, restful areas free from fear or anxiety for laying eggs. A nest box should be placed where they feel secure. A Polish chicken’s nest should be 12 inches wide, 12 inches tall, and 12 inches deep.
Regular Cleaning
Their coop needs regular cleaning like other poultry breeds. After a particular time, clean and sanitize the coop’s walls, door, and roof with water and vinegar.
Dust Bathing Area
Chickens don’t take baths with water; they rotate and shake their body around the fine sand or dirt in their bathing area. There are many benefits of sand bathing; some of them are:
- Helps them to flak off their old skin.
- keeps their fur in perfect condition
- Helps them stay free of mites, lice, and other parasites.
Polish Chicken Hatcheries:
They have a funky look. You’ll enjoy their presence as well as their looks. They are good egg layers of medium white eggs. There are many poultry farms from where you can get their babies. Some are Meyer, Hoovers, McMurray, Cackle, Abendroths, and Valley Hatchery.
Raise Polish Chickens Chicks
Here are a few tips for raising Polish chicks:
- The desired temperature for raising them according to their age.
- Tips for Raising Polish Chickens
- Provide Heat Lamp
- Regular Handling
- Use Treats to Train Them
- Provide Regular Grooming
- Clean Feathers
Polish Chicken Broodiness
Polish hens are non-sitters and rarely will go broody. Their feature of size and type are similar to Leghorn’s chicken compared to other chicken breeds.
History of Polish Chickens
According to Polish Chicken breed history, they were bought from central and eastern Europe in the late 16th century, also known as Poland chickens. Dutch fancy poultry keepers refine the color patterns and develop the large plume in this unique and fascinating breed of Poland.
They were acknowledged in England in the mid-17th century and gained popularity in France as decent egg layers. Additional varieties were accepted and arrived in America between 1830 and 1840 and were extended by 1850.
Polish chickens lost their position of laying eggs from 1850 to 1890 due to Leghorn chickens in America and England and were kept for showcase birds in exhibition purposes.
Come in various varieties of Polish chicken accepted by the American Poultry Association, set a Standard of Perfection in 1874 of Non-bearded white crested black, white crested blue and Mottled color, and Breaded standards in White, Golden, Silver, Buff Laced, and Tolbent color was also added in 1938.
Ornamental Value
The Polish is Polish with the crest, but its drawback is that the large crest limits their vision, as it is their leading beauty. The bumpy head should be large, high, and round. Beak topped with wide nostrils, black eyes, comb (if present) small horn shape, with no Muffling, large long wattles. Their small v-shaped comb and white earlobes add their beauty.
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