So, I adore polish hens, I need some decent white egg layers in my flock, and someone just offered to sell me a pair tomorrow. Only problem is, I'm worried about how they will do in my flock. They will be immediately introduced to (after quarantine) an easter egger who is very submissive and is at the bottom of the pecking order, a silkie hen in the middle, and my red star hen who rules the roost. When my chicks get older, they will be introduced to the flock as well. They are another silkie pullet, an isa brown pullet, a buff orpington pullet, two as yet unidentified as far as breed goes bantam pullets, an amberlink pullet, a light brahma pullet, and a light brahma cockerel. Does anyone have any experience with polish in a mixed flock? Most of my breeds were chosen for docility, with the exception of the little mystery bantams. Should I get them, or would it be a bad idea because they'll get overly picked on?
I have had 2-4 Polish in my flock of 7-12 for the last 4 years. Polish have been fine, in fact my problem hen is a buff polish.
My Polish girls are my favorites. I came home one day to find a buff polish on the ground with all the feathers in her topknot pulled out! Our flock of 37 are of various breeds, but the Polish girls are the smallest and tamest. I found they were all losing feathers over time. Fortunately we have 3 sections to our hen house, so I took my 6 Polish and gave them a coop of their own.
In a mixed flock, the crests of Polish are frequently the targets of 'picking'. Sometimes it works - sometimes it doesn't. I would think that introducing them into an established flock would be difficult. Have a contingency plan if you do get them.
