Need a recommendation -- Polish or white sultan?

[legacyln]

I'm getting ready to pre-order for spring from Cackle Hatchery and while I'm mostly going for a few each from Heritage breeds, my chicken loving daughter would like for us to get a few crested chickens. I've read some place that Polish can be less hearty than other breeds, and was hoping some of you with knowledge on the crested types might advise me on what to get.

Cackle offers Polish and White Sultans. Is there a difference in temperament, heartiness, etc?

DD wants me to tell you her name

is Ada

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Polish lay more eggs, other than that looks are the only difference. Both are nice, sweet, jumpy hawk bait.

 

[ghulst]

All top hats should be raised along. They always get picked on.

 

[SunAngel]

I have 1 White Crested Black Polish pullet. She lives amongst 25-30 various sized standard hens just fine. She doesn't get picked on, but I do have to work harder to make sure she gets treats. She can't see as well and is too slow to beat the others to what gets tossed. I am planning on getting her some poofy headed friends this spring from another BYC'er, but for now she is my sons favorite chicken!

She hasn't started laying yet though, when most of the other hens from the same hatchery order have. Guess she is just slow. Either that or I am mistaking her egg for another pullets egg.

 

[chickenzoo]

My Sultans always give me an egg a day.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Quote:
Mine were closer to a egg a week?

 

[chickenzoo]

LOL, I have a WCB hen like that! I don't know why, but mine are good layers. She normally always lays one a day around the same time. My other hens are getting close.

 

[legacyln]

What are Sultans personalities like? I have all heavy layers right now and they all tend to be pretty laid back-- you have to watch your step or you'll trip over then when feeding and watering.

I am sure a lot of this is "nurture" (I sopil them w/treats and we hold them a lot) but I have read that all my breeds tend toward "docile". I just picture Sultans as a more nervous breed but wasn't sure if it was a misimpression or I'd actually read it somewhere.

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

We had a Sultan roo who was the nicest male in our wholw flock. He was so sweet and came when called. He recently passed on from an illness, so I've been grieving him always.

We also have a Polish hen who is very sweet. She's intelligent as well. But I do agree, if you have a large group you have a good chance of crest feather loss on the little youngster. Be careful!

Over all, both have proved to me that they are able to learn commands, as I have taught those two to come to specific noises for treats, they are VERY pretty, and make the best pets!

Just be aware: crested fowl tend to be a bit more spooked than other chickens. The crest can block eye-sight and cause issues.

 

[chickenzoo]

I have herd they can be nervous, but all of mine have been friendly and real fun to watch. They seem to enjoy the attention but it is easy to sneak up on them and startle them because of their big crests. Sometimes I even put their crest up in ponytails so they can see better...LOL