Breed identity on a funky looking chicken

[ForFlocksSake]

Our local library has chickens out front and just recently added this one. I am in love and must have one. It had a spunky little personality and Albert Einstein hair. Not the best photo but best I can do. can anyone identify this? And if you know the breed can you tell me how they are to keep? Is this a hen or a rooster?

 

[TheWasp]

Aww! A houdan! She's a girl alright, I'll put a female and a male comparison for you.
I have a couple of these, they're very noisy and demanding for me.
Female

Male

 

[TheWasp]

their crests have to be trimmed so they can see. The muffs and beard merge otherwise. Therefore you MUST handle them regardless of gender. If they're in a mixed flock, they can get attacked for being blind otherwise.

My houdans are the top birds in both the male run and the female run. No trimming needed!

 

[TheWasp]

What about laced polish? What are their personalities like? They look similar to the Houdan.

My Ric Flair is noisy but he's a cockerel.

 

[Es_In_Miami]

Skittles, my mottled houdan, on the far right. She's a handful!

 

[TheWasp]

It’s taking everything in me not to order Houdans right now. Cackle has them and they’re unsexed and 3 minimum. I can’t have any roosters (already have 1 possible 2 cockerels that need to be handled when they’re larger) and I think it’s too hot here to be brooding chicks in my garage.

Also we don’t really have room for more. And I’m a first timer. And they aren’t even laying yet.

Talk me out of it. Someone knock some sense into me.

That's where i got my Rude Judith (photo above) and Esteban (also above)

 

[ForFlocksSake]

What about laced polish? What are their personalities like? They look similar to the Houdan.

 

[Es_In_Miami]

OH Shoot. From all these responses im wondering if maybe it's not the right bird for a neighborhood? Even just 1?

I think their feisty personality is a bigger issue than their noise making. If you can manage to stick with hens, it's easier. Try silkies.

Whatever you select, handle them often. Spend time with them. Even loid cockrells will calm/quiet down as they mature.

 

[Es_In_Miami]

They are very bosy chatty birds. LOL

 

[ForFlocksSake]

OH Shoot. From all these responses im wondering if maybe it's not the right bird for a neighborhood? Even just 1?