Learn all about Polish chickens, a breed of chickens that is known for their feathery crest and friendly disposition toward humans! Hearing the ‘peent’ calls or seeing these eye- catching beautiful birds add beauty to any flock that hosts them besides their elegant quacks.
Whether people are attracted to the looks of them or their temper, Polish chickens have elegance and personality that are rather welcoming. Learn the interesting facts about the proper management of these beautiful birds and why they are the perfect and enjoyable addition to your poultry sanctuary.
Do Polish chickens lay good eggs?
Yes, Polish chickens do lay eggs but not as many as say, a Leghorn. On average they lay 150-200 white small to medium sized eggs annually. Though they can lay good numbers during their active years, their breeding potential is highly commercial for ornamental purposes due to their fancy looking crest.
If one is interested in a particular type of breed that is more productive in terms of laying, then there are breeds such as Leghorn or Rhode Island Red.
What is a Polish chicken?
A Polish chicken is one of the breeds characterised by the large mass of feathers on its head, referred to as a crest. The origins of this breed for ornamentation purposes are still unknown but some experts believe that it has roots in Eastern Europe. Polish chickens are available in different colours therefore you can choose either white, black or silver laced birds.
It is a medium sized bird and mainly prove to be docile and sociable hence some are domesticated and used in displays. However, they are not as productive as many other chickens, and in fact they only produce small to medium sized white eggs.
Polish chickens are mostly valued for ornamental purposes; their peak-like feathers that create problems by hindering their vision adds to their uniqueness.
Are Polish chickens high maintenance?
The Polish chickens are relatively easy to manage but need some extra care because of the crests that they possess. Their feathery crowns may form some sort of hoods that hinder their view of the world which may make them easy prey for hunting or even get trapped in some obstacle and these hoods may also need some cutting once in a while.
These feathers also seem to get easily oily or tangled especially when it is wet and thus would need much attention in grooming. Also they lack visibility hence they may perform poorly in social activities with the other chickens and could end up being harassed.
All in all, many of them require only some slight amendments and are not very demanding with regard to the necessary care.
Is Polish chicken OK?
Polish chickens, in general, are healthy chickens that are suitable for homesteads or backyards especially for those who are seeking fancy looking chickens. They do need some extra attention though, especially concerning their crest feathers which hampers vision as well as gets dusty most of the time other than that they are easy to handle.
Polish chickens are docile birds, are not aggressive at all and do not make a whole lot of noise thus can be reared both in the country and in town. Despite the fact that they are not very productive layers of eggs they are very beautiful birds with friendly demeanor that is usually welcomed by chicken lovers.
Are Polish chickens hybrid?
Polish chickens are NOT commercial hybrids; they are a true breed with history and origin in Poland. Their exact background is somewhat unknown, however, they are thought to be from Eastern Europe, most likely Poland and the origination dates back into the hundreds.
These are basically ornamental birds originating from Poland and are mainly bred for their arched crest which does not make them suitable for their meat or eggs. In contrast to other types of working poultry breeds that are developed by crossbreeding for typical performances such as laying or feed conversion rate, Polish poultry have been selected typically for their appearance and docile disposition.
Are Polish chickens aggressive?
In general, Polish chickens are not aggressive birds, but nearly tranquil ones, friendly to man and fellow creatures. They are usually calm and can coexist with other chickens, however, the development of the crest poses them to some extent to attacks by aggressive breeds of chicken.
For the same reason that they have the feathered crest on their heads, they may be a little more shy or nervous but they are not aggressive towards man or other birds. Polish chickens are docile and if well taken care of and the flock is calm and peaceful then the Polish is easy to deal with especially for children and hobby farmers.
How old before Polish lay eggs?
A Polish chicken begins to lay eggs between five and six months of age although it can be affected by factors such as light, feed and health. Some of them may start to lay as early as 4 months while others may delay up to the 7th month.
It is a non-setter poultry and although Polish chickens do not lay so many eggs they mostly lay small and medium-sized white ones. They are not recognized to be very consistent layers but will lay between 150 and 200 eggs per annum provided well taken care of.
What is the lifespan of a Polish chicken?
Polish chickens live for about 5 to 8 years, but a few may live longer if well taken care of. They have got demography aspects with counterparts liable to aspects such as diet, living conditions, level of protection against predators, and overall health. To prolong their existence, their distinct crests should always be groomed, they should be provided with good shelter, and also good and healthy foods.
Although they are comparatively robust birds they may be relatively susceptible to head trauma, at least more so than other psittacine, due to their large crests. However, proper care has to be accorded to Polish chickens so it can live long as it can also be used as a pet or for ornamental purposes.
Do Polish chickens need heat?
Polish chickens like most of the chicken breeds are moderate to hot but they require special attention in extreme hot or cold weather. They might have a good level of hardiness from cold for most of them but their feathered crest exposes them to impedance in getting a dry coat hence being easily chilled. They do very well outside, but in very cold climates they must be given a draft free insulated coop.
Maybe during the very cold winter season, it may be advisable to use a heat lamp or heated water, but wherever one is putting the heat lamp he or she should ensure that there is no open flame around to avoid having a fire disaster. Most of them require proper shelter and protection from weather variations for them to survive well.
Are Polish chickens easy to keep?
Polish chickens are not very prone to diseases and they are rather easy to care for but some attention has to be paid to them. They have such plumes in the form of a crest on their head which has to be combed to avoid tangling and to enable them to have clear vision.
They are normally docile and approachable which makes them good for a homestead flock. Proper care is characterized by keeping the place clean; sheltering them properly; and feeding them on well balanced diets to reduce their chances of getting a disease.
All in all, it can be said that Polish chickens are not nearly as challenging to deal with as it might seem at first glance, requiring just a little care devoted to their peculiarities.
Can Polish chickens get wet?
Polish chickens can swim and hence they can get wet but their crests and body feathers can easily become damp and hence get cold. These are their drawbacks: there can be dampness stuck at the crest, which will cause the cat discomfort or health problems if it stays wet for long.
They should be given a dry and wind free area to lay to minimize on draughts as well as to shield them from snow or rain. A dry and clean place ensures that they do not develop complications related to wet surroundings and will always be healthy and cheery.