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Polish Chicken is a game that you may play. These birds are among the most hilarious that you’ll ever have in your flock. They are an amusing chicken breed, and watching them will never grow old for me. They are strutting about with the wackiest crowns on their head and curiously peeking around at their surroundings.
Poultry fanciers commonly raise these birds because they are a desirable show bird, however they have other qualities that may be the perfect fit for your flock.
About the Polish Chicken
The Polish people’s ancestry and genetic origins have always been a source of speculation. Many people think the Asian Mongols carried their original lines to Europe during the Middle Ages. Everything you hear about the breed and their origin is mostly speculation, so it’s all a little unclear.
The American Poultry Association’s Standard of Perfection accepted three varieties of Polish as of 1874. In the years since then, other types have been approved.
Polish comes in a variety of different forms, both bearded and non-bearded. They even have frizzles! A chicken with feathers that are turning this way and that rather than lying flat on their entire body is known as a frizzle chicken. White crested black, black crested white, white, buff laced, golden laced, and silver laced are the different color variants of Polish that have been approved as ideal.
There are so many beautiful hues! Doesn’t it make you want to get each one of them?
Polish Characteristics
1. Size and weight
Standard Polish fowls weigh about 4.5 to 5 pounds for females and 6 to 6.6 pounds for males, making them small birds. It’s not a meat-eating bird. Their eggs are also of decent size, albeit they are a bit smaller than ideal. But, since these little birds are so fragile, they’re a great first pet for kids.
2. Temperament
The temperaments of Polish birds are quite calm and passive. They enjoy being cuddled and patted. They have a difficult time seeing something approaching them because they have a enormous mop of feathers on their head. They may be startled at first if a person sneaks up on them and catches them. To avoid being totally taken aback, quietly speak to them as you approach them.
Hens in Poland are extremely rare to broody. I’ve never seen one in my flock myself.
Polish roosters are friendly and cautious, with humans Occasionaly seeing aggressiveness.
3. Polish Production
Polish Chickens come in a variety of strains, some of which are more prone to produce eggs than others. I recommend investigating several alternative breeds if you’re just interested in a breed for eggs. Some strains lay up to 200 eggs per year, while others lay only 140-160 eggs. You may anticipate a lovely, tiny white egg in the nesting box when your hens are active.
Caring for your Polish
1. Feeding and nutritional needs
When it comes to nutrition and feeding, your Polish Chicken should not need much attention. Every feed store sells nutritionally complete laying feed. When molting occurs in the fall, make sure to add extra protein. Every year-old bird goes through a molt in the autumn to acquire a new layer of feathers to prepare for the approaching winter.
The feathers on their heads get wet from the waterers while they’re drinking, and icicles form as a result of this. They often have icicles hanging from their heads in the winter. That’s not a fun situation to be in! Try to ensure your birds are drinking from appropriate drinkers rather than tubs that might get them too damp. Frostbite can also occur as a result of situations like this.
2. Housing Polish
Because the Polish breed is a tiny breed, it doesn’t need as much space in the coop and run as other breeds do. Make sure they have enough room to escape from bigger birds if there is flock tension, however. They’ll need room to do so in order to get away.
If you live in a cold climate, Polish Chickens may not be appropriate for you since they are not particularly cold hardy. At any rate, make sure that the room they sleep in at night is heated and draft-free to avoid frostbite.
Inclusion of enough predator protection tends to make Polish Chickens more comfortable. Because of the feathers on their head, their vision is severely impaired, making it difficult for them to detect impending danger. These little chickens are particularly vulnerable to aerial predators such as hawks.
Because they do not have a good sense of direction, the few Polish I have allowed to free-range frequently wander too far away and never return. They manage to get lost and devoured with ease.
3. Health Issues and Care
One health problem that Polish chickens can occasionally encounter in a mixed breed flock is egg Production, which is more common among larger breeds.
Their head feathers are frequently pulled out and plucked. But, aren’t those feathers rather noticeable? They’ll need to be alone in a crate for a few days after this occurs. When treating head wounds for Polish, I use Blue Kote, which is a helpful product.
When they’re little, keep an eye out for chicks who are being bullied. Their skulls are very delicate, and even a minor bite can badly damage or kill them.
Polish Chicken heads are especially prone to mites and lice, so check them often to avoid this problem.
4. Grooming Polish
For your small mop-headed crew, you may occasionally need to schedule a spa day. To maximize their visibility, removing the feathers surrounding their eyes is a huge help. To keep the feathers out of their faces, some people prefer to utilize hair ties. Since they like to scratch them out, I found this technique to be difficult to implant. Every few months, I recommend trimming the feathers.
Do not trim the feathers of your bird if you want to show it in the future. For the judges, you want your bird in its finest shape.
5. Breeding Polish
I’ve raised a number of Polish puppies in the past, and I can tell you that they’re a lot of fun. The cuteness factor of a chick emerging from an egg with a mini afro on their head is hard to beat.
Make sure your roosters are gentle on the hens when managing your breeding pen for Polish Chickens. Some of the favorite hens during mating may lose some head feathers. Remove one hen for a few days if she is receiving a lot of attention, especially if she is getting over-exposed. You may continue to collect hatching eggs for several days after she’s been removed from the pen with the rooster, since her eggs will remain fertile.
Alternative Breeds to Polish Chickens
Here are a few birds with similar traits and appearances that might appeal to you a bit more if the Polish sounds a bit too high-maintenance for you.
1. Sultans
Sultan chickens are a Turkish breed of chicken that is very popular. Sultans still have feathered legs and feet, in addition to a large head of feathers. In many ways, this breed is similar to the Polish. They have somewhat lower than typical egg output, making them a little smaller breed. The American Poultry Association recognizes sultans in three colors: white, black, and blue.
2. Wyandottes
Wyandottes are a good color alternative to Polish, despite the fact that they do not have the headdress that Polish Chickens have. Black, blue, buff, Columbian, golden laced, partridge, silver laced, and silver penciled are just a few of the color choices available in Wyandottes.
These birds are larger, have a greater ability to endure cold, and are more likely to become broody. Wyandottes are a good alternative for anyone interested in the various gorgeous colors of Polish, but who doesn’t want some of the downsides.
3. Legbars
A smaller crested breed might be right up your alley if you like the look of the set of head feathers but think it’s a bit much. Legbars’ heads are adorned with a tiny crest that neither obscures nor interferes with their vision. These birds have a jumpier demeanor and are still rather little. Cream, white, and opal Legbars are available in different colors. This breed offers a bonus feature of producing blue eggs!
Did You Know?
The American Livestock Conservancy’s “Watch Status” currently lists this breed. That means that the number of Polish Chickens has decreased, and they are being closely watched.
Wouldn’t it be a pity if these darling birds became extinct? I adore having them around, and I believe you will too! They provide a lovely pop of character and add a comedic element to the chicken run.
