Polish Chicks

[65browneyes]

Thanks for all your replies.

P_P, these are from Privett Hatchery by way of the feed store.

MissP, I have suspected Knobby was having a bit of an issue with seeing through her mane. But, if she ever calms down (like yours, these are very skittish, scaredy cats), my DD may decide to show them at the local fair next spring so I'm reluctant to trim until that decision is made.

I transferred them into the main flock last night, which went well, no fighting that I've seen [yet]. She almost seems to get around better in there than in the nursery. Hmmm.....

I had given thought to getting Polish this year, but had pretty much decided against it due to the 'mane maintainence' issue. That is, until we realized I wouldn't be able to get the cochins that I wanted.

In fact, I set out for 3 Buff Orps, 3 EE, and 3 cochins. Ended up with 2 BOs, 3 Leghorns (one is suspiciously roo-ish), 2 RIRs (one is a roo), these 3 Polish, and the lone hatch RIR/EE cross.

I'm thinking I'll leave my kids HOME when I pick up chicks next year! LOL

 

[pattee]

This is a picture of my white crested Polish at 5 weeks. I know she's not show quality but do you think the side of her feathers will grow in?

And these are my other 2 Polish's
The silver and white also has grown a lopsided do, but not my golden....

Is this usual or unusual for their head feather to be lopsided?

 

[perfectly_polish]

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Well I put my golden laced hen in with my white polish. I'll wait a couple weeks and then start to collect her eggs for the 'bator. Who know's what I'll get

 

[CritterHill]

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I am curious what the answer to this will be. I've got a few very lopsided crests - mostly the gold laced. The WC blue and buff laced are very even.

 

[perfectly_polish]

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I am curious what the answer to this will be. I've got a few very lopsided crests - mostly the gold laced. The WC blue and buff laced are very even.

Well these are hatchery type birds so a lot of them will develop lopsided crests like that. It does happen to a lot of birds, but you wouldn't be able to show them.

 

[pattee]

Ok now I'm really feeling like what kind of birds did I get???

I got my chicks from MPC, a reputable hatchery, at least that's what I thought.

And there's so many people that have ordered from them... so do they all get chicks that aren't necessarily "show" quality but have some quirk such as lopsided feathered head.

I don't want to show my chicks but I would hope I'd get a chick that looks like the picture I was shown. If that happened a lot to MPC I don't think they'd have a following.

I'm starting to feel very insecure about my polish's, my silkie and my EE.

Help ~

 

[Bec]

I didnt get my WCB Polish Lauren from a hatchery, but she was lopsided for a little while, but is now all evened out. Her right side was poofier than the left. Mine isn't show quality either, but that doesn't matter to me, she is just a pet!!! I wouldnt worry too much.

 

[perfectly_polish]

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If you order from a hatchery almost none of the chicks will be show quality. They are just hatchery type birds. They may get a ribbon or 2 at the local fair but they aren't up to standard. If you want show quality chicks you should buy eggs, chicks, or adults from a breeder.

 

[Guitartists]

I've been trying to find a way to describe it... buying a chicken from a hatchery is a lot like buying a puppy from the mall. It IS what it is.

 

[pattee]

Yea, I don't care if they are show quality or get a honorable mention at a show... I was just hoping they would look like the pictures I've seen, that's all.