Are polish tophats that stupid?

[chickenzoo]

WOW, ....... I guess I'm the only one that likes my Polish. We get a lot of rain, but my Polish don't seem any dumber then the rest that stand out there in it with them. Mine do now know the good places to go and hide. They can be a little flighty but if I had a mop on my head and only saw every ones toes, I might me too. LOL The ones i keep in high pens are very sweet and not as scared as those on the ground. They can see me better. They are the comics of the chicken world , I think. They are always doing funny things and how the walk and run is just hilarious. Mine come to greet me, follow me around... with the occasion bump. They seem very curious to me, although they can be a bit frail.

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

It depends. I wouldn't call them 'stupid' but there are alot of factors that decide the bird's workings. For example, the vault on their head, that is, the bubble on the skull that the crest grows out of, can lead to brain damage...sometimes they are born with mental disorders. I have one GL hen who had alot of her vault showing when she was a young pullet, and it eventually filled in with the feathers. But I can tell there is still something wrong with her and I make it my business to make sure she is always okay.

I think Polish are kookey birds with big personality and horrible vision. I've heard stories about them drowning or getting caught in the rain with nowhere to go. And I believe them. But I totally think those two factors decide the bird itself. I love my Polish but I always have to be one step ahead because of the mischief they tend to cause.

Also, they're not hardy at all. Crests freeze in the winter and their crests also cause them to get over-heated in the summer. But I think it's worse in the summer for birds with dark crests because the dark colors will absorb the sun and the head is the body part that should be kept coolest.

I find it funny how many people really don't like 'em. My birds never get caught in the rain and if they do, they find some sort of roofing to go under until they can make their way to the coop. We've never lost any to predators. The other non-crested chickens don't bother them any more than any other chicken...and they know to stay away from the pond. But they are sickly little things.

 

[trilyn]

Quote:
OMG-I have the exact same thought about mine!

I have a white crested black, a blue, and a buff. The buff is by far the dingier of the three, I swear she looks for the flipping hawk-too bad it doesn't accomodate her! She drives me nuts, forever squawking because she always loses her buddies. Yeah, she can see, she's an idiot!! Flighty, nervous and jerky-never again. Anyone want a free buff laced polish, in central new york!?? Takers??!!

 

[19hhbelgian]

Quote:
Nope, you're not the only one that likes your polish!! I'll join the ranks of people who love their "dumb" birds! Actually, I don't think mine are any more dumb than the others. They simply cannot see as well, which leads them directly into trouble. Mine are not aggressive at all, and if someone pecks at them, they just take it

Had to separate a pullet for this reason. I got a few new girls, and the second night out, I got back late and it was already dark. My breeding birds go in the shed into 150 gallon rubbermaid containers at night rather than the coop with everybody else. Well, they all know that if they just wait at the door, I will come and get them. But, 2 of the new girls decided they weren't waiting... 1 flew up into a huge pine tree, and the other one wound up at the very peak of the shed (it's a 2 story butcher house from the late 1800's) - she was most definitely safe from ground predators! I think they were pretty smart to roost else where when I wasn't back before dark

On another note, I did have a VERY dumb cochin. She would run around like a complete fool... Well, like a chicken with it's head chopped off to be exact

 

[isadream]

They had not been left outside to go up on their own. I only put them out during the days and on pretty days. They have never been taught to go in at night and had never been out in rain before.

I always make sure if the mother does not hatch them and raise them to put my babies up at night so they learn to go into the shed. This includes my baby turkeys and all my different baby chicks. I have had lots of youngsters not know to go up at night. The other thing I do is pen them up in the shed for a couple of weeks. Then I let them loose and they go "home" ie in the shed to roost.

I am sorry you had bad luck and wish you had contacted me I would have been glad to have tried to help although I doubt I could have helped with the duck pond or the frizzle pecking on to death. We have a pond and have never had any chickens drown in it but my fainting goat did faint and fall in and hubby had to drag her out.

Renee

 

[JewellFarm]

Sorry, But I always keep my babies/little ones penned up until they are a bit older and able to take care of themselves. After I lost the first one I would have kept them penned.

 

[19hhbelgian]

Quote:
Yeah, I do agree on that...

Also, what isadream said is very true... they do need to be taught where to go, and if it's raining I generally don't let my birds out. Even my australorps will stay out in the rain and eat. Then I have to go chase them inside so they don't get too cold

Goofy birds... But I love 'em anyway!

Maybe polish just aren't for you...

 

[becky3086]

I have never put my birds out young enough so that the wet could kill them either. If they are old enough, they should be able to stay out in the rain just fine. I happen to love my Polish and want MORE

 

[sonew123]

Quote:
OMG-I have the exact same thought about mine!

I have a white crested black, a blue, and a buff. The buff is by far the dingier of the three, I swear she looks for the flipping hawk-too bad it doesn't accomodate her! She drives me nuts, forever squawking because she always loses her buddies. Yeah, she can see, she's an idiot!! Flighty, nervous and jerky-never again. Anyone want a free buff laced polish, in central new york!?? Takers??!!

yes yes yes Ill take her! seriously that was the next breed of polish I want! LOL.. Im serious! coming to upstate NY anytime soon???

she'd be perfect for my dingbats I have!!!

 

[Bluemoon420]

Quote:
I just spit coffee on my desk from laughing. I hope it helps the poor guy.

Bluemoon