Great Chicken Breed: Polish Chicken

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The Polish is a breed of crested chickens from Europe known for its unique crest of feathers. The oldest historical records of these chickens come from The Netherlands but their true origins are not known. Besides having combs, they have large crests that nearly cover their head. This crest makes their vision limited, and thus can affect their temperament. Though they are usually tame, they may be timid and can easily be frightened.

This chicken breed has a little V-shaped bright red comb often hidden by its full crest of feathers. The small white earlobes and bright red wattles are also completely hidden by the crest and beard.

The origins of this breed's name is not certain. The country of Poland could have been named after the breed . The name also could have originated from the word pol, meaning "head" in Middle Dutch, after the chicken's dome-shaped skull.

Most Polish chickens are bred these days as show birds, but were originally raised to be egg layers. Polish rarely go broody only producing 120 white eggs per year. They come in bearded, non-bearded and frizzle varieties.

They are curious and like to explore, so they can end up ‘stuck’ somewhere and require help in getting out. Because of this they are better kept in confinement which they can tolerate.

If they get separated from their flock and cannot join the others they will often cry out and respond to the other chickens calling them.

Their mild and calm temperament makes them low in the pecking order, also most other chickens like to peck and pull those head feathers which can lead to bald chickens or injury.

These chickens are good foragers in the yard and can fly quite well.

They are also be pretty hardy, tolerating most climates but do not like being wet.

The Polish is a calm and gentle bird, making them okay for children to have as pets.