As early as the 1400s and continuing through the 1500–1700s, paintings by Dutch and Italian artists feature birds that resemble Polish Chicken. The same period’s literature also made reference to them. Polish chickens might not be as mysterious as they seem; in fact, their moniker may be misleading. The fact that these hens were genuinely from Poland has never been proven. Many flock owners chose to raise Leghorns on their farms due to the increasing productivity of White Leghorns, whereas Polish chickens were raised for decorative purposes or exhibition displays.
The Long History of Polish Chicken
The history of Polish chicken is extensive, intriguing, and dates back many centuries. These unusual birds were brought to Poland from the Netherlands, where they underwent selective breeding and refinement. The Polish chicken became a favorite ornamental bird among the European aristocracy due to its beautiful feather crests. Polish hens arrived in America in the 19th century and immediately won over poultry lovers with their distinct look and friendly disposition. As a monument to their long legacy and cultural relevance in the world of poultry rearing, these endearing and heritage breeds are still appreciated by poultry aficionados worldwide.
What Are Polish Chicken Characteristics?
Polish chickens are a distinctive and lovely breed. A big hat-like crest adorns a Polish chicken. Certain types, furthermore, sport muffs and beards. Their feathery crests are supported by a bony cone or protuberance on their heads. In addition to the crest, they also have a tiny red V-shaped comb that is covered with feathers. They also have white earlobes and crimson wattles. Their feathers are delicate, and they are little. Their nostrils are huge, and their skin is white. They have four toes on each foot and no feathers on their gray shanks or legs. Polish roosters have a ruffled mop-like crest, whereas Polish hens have a neat pom-pom-like feather crest. A Polish chicken’s vision may be obstructed by the fluffy crest, despite its appealing appearance. Because of this, eagles and other predators can attack the birds from the air.
Appearance
- Polish chickens have a unique appearance compared to other breeds!
- Their feathered heads make them easy to identify. These feathers can have a variety of looks, from a neat pom-pom to a messy, wild appearance in the wild.
- These feathers can frequently obstruct the bird’s vision.
- They also conceal the rooster’s V-shaped comb.
- All things considered, they are a medium-sized chicken with an elegant, straight gait. The physique is somewhat lengthy, with wide shoulders and a straight back. Wings are carried rather long and near the torso.
Temperament and Behavior
A Polish chicken just begs you to pick it up based on its appearance. They are excellent for novices and kid-friendly because of their level temperament and superb docility. When young birds are handled and regularly given goodies and gentle touches, they can be readily tamed. Polish pom-pom head feathers often obstruct their vision, making them easy prey. This has the drawback of making them more prone to anxiety and flight. It’s preferable to speak softly as you approach, letting them know you’re there, to prevent frightening them.
They can be a good breed for someone who is just getting started with chickens, especially if you want something beautiful to look at that can also produce eggs. There are other dual-purpose breeds that are more suited for producing meat if you also want a bird for the table.
What Does Polish Chicken Care
Feeding
Seasonally-varying energy needs are met by Polish hens through food. Chickens tend to eat less during the warmer months, so you need to make sure their diet is full of all the nutrients they need. The birds consume more food in the winter to stay warm. In addition, young, developing birds require a diet higher in protein than do mature hens.
Complete feeding diets, which include pellets, mash, and crumbles, are available for purchase. All you have to do is put the feed into a feeder. For improved growth and eggshell quality, you may also combine feeds like complete feed and grain supplements with additional minerals like calcium.
Feathers and other coarse debris are always consumed by chickens in addition to their food. Hard grit is what you’ll need to feed your chickens so their gizzards can break them down. The body then gets rid of them.
Diet
Commercial chicken feed is the main diet of Polish chickens. For the upkeep of their feathers and general growth, they require a diet rich in protein. It also takes a lot of calcium for the hens to produce enough eggs. This breed will gladly consume worms, insects, larvae, and other invertebrates because it is an adept forager. Polish hens have quick reflexes and a large capture capacity when allowed to roam freely. Polish chickens like to consume green plant parts and seeds, just like other poultry.
Grooming
You must give your Polish hens proper grooming and bathing if they are show birds. Wash the hens three to five days prior to the performance. It allows them adequate time to air dry. Use a clipper to cut the nails for grooming. Smooth the beak and nails with an emery board.
Wash the Polish chickens in big tubs of warm water. Shampoo, conditioner, and a quarter cup of vinegar can be used to clean them. Lower your Polish chicken into the tub while holding its breast in your palm. Most birds unwind and even fall asleep while taking a bath. Use a blow dryer or cloths to dry them.
Housing
Polish hens should be kept in a dry, well-ventilated coop. To prevent them from plucking on each other’s crests, they need a lot of room. Lice on the crest can spread among hens. During the day, Polish chickens search for food by perching on tree limbs. However, in order to keep them safe from robbers and predators at night, they must be housed in a shelter. They must be housed indoors at all times if you are housing them to lay eggs.
Incredible Polish Chicken Facts
- Polish chickens are not called after their country of origin, in contrast to many other poultry.
- Polish hens are quite tolerant of heat and cold, but they detest being wet.
- These birds’ thick crests frequently cover up their facial features.
- In addition to their crests, certain species of Polish chickens also have muffs and beards.
- Polish chickens are primarily raised for display, even though they can lay up to 200 eggs annually.
- Polish hens are seriously threatened by birds of prey because they are unable to see them coming.
Where to Find Polish Chickens
Most Polish chickens are found in Australia, the United States, and Europe. It’s unclear where these European birds came from. According to some accounts, the highly crested Polish chickens’ progenitors were transported from Spain to the Netherlands. According to some accounts, they came from Asia and were introduced to Europe during the Middle Ages by the Mongols. There are as many as six centuries’ worth of artistic depictions of crested Polish hens in Europe. Experts concur that the Netherlands is where these birds originated in their current form. Polish chickens’ crests were refined by Dutch breeders to produce the modern breed. Polish chickens had become widely known throughout Europe by the 18th century, especially in England and France.
Around the time of the Civil War, exporters brought the breed to the United States, where it gained popularity and continued to do so into the 1850s. In 1874, the American Poultry Association expanded their Standard of Perfection to include three Polish chicken types. Later, the group introduced additional types. Unfortunately, though, when farmers preferred other chickens—like the Leghorn, which produced better eggs—the breed started to decrease. The number of Polish chickens is currently dropping globally, despite their continued popularity as pets and show birds. The Livestock Conservancy has included them on their watch list because of their extremely low population.
Range of colors
There are a wide variety of hues. The most common type are the white crested, which are available in cuckoo, blue, and black colors. Although partridge and buff are also accessible, they are uncommon and not recognized as distinct colors. By standardized, I mean that the hue has been acknowledged as a legitimate color variation for the breed by poultry clubs all around the world.
White, black, blue, and cuckoo are our own or plain-colored colors. Everywhere over the body, even on the head, these hues are the same. The laced versions come in gold, chamois, and silver and are likewise the same color throughout the body. These vibrant hues have lacing in either white or black, depending on the color. If all the keeper wants are gorgeous birds for the garden, these are perhaps the most popular option—though the exhibition birds really must be seen to be believed.
Care and Maintenance
A growing number of dedicated breeders are raising Polish chickens all over the world. The breed itself requires a lot of care, but in recent years, a significant number of people have expressed a desire to retain Polish chickens for their decorative and esthetic qualities. Fortunately, all of this helps to ensure the breed’s continued protection.
Though the breed of chickens is fairly sturdy and resilient, maintaining these animals definitely requires more care and attention. It’s really advisable to stay away from some things, including combining Polish hens with any other non-crested breed. Without a doubt, this is a bad idea. Additionally, it is not really appropriate to let them run outside in all types of weather. Once more, this is a recipe for trouble and issues. The primary justification for these two points is that the Polish chicken’s huge crest puts it at a disadvantage when competing with other breeds. I have witnessed the consequences of crest pecking on numerous occasions, and in certain situations, this can be lethal. Regarding being outside during inclement weather, the crest can become soggy and unclean that it might cause eye infections as well as blindness, making it unable to see to eat or drink. These conditions can be fatal.
Crest Care
It is really simple to accomplish this. More than half of the issues can be resolved if the birds can be housed in a completely covered chicken coop and run. Keeping the crest clean and dry is the most crucial aspect of its upkeep. If the crest does become dirty, washing and drying it is not too difficult. This is basically the only method to help keep them clean, so proceed carefully and softly. When these precautions are not followed, crest mites can develop. However, they can be avoided by using a high-quality insect repellent spray directly on the crest feathers. If a black, dust-like substance forms close to the base of the crest feathers, it indicates the presence of mites in the crest. This must be cleansed, and it cannot be ignored. These mites can cause irreversible harm to hens’ eyes and ears if they are left on them and the infestation becomes extremely bad.