POLISH THREAD Talk about your Polish and post pics of your Polish

[Illia]

Pretty sure he's just a very poorly colored Buff Laced.

 

[bawkbawkbawk]

Noticed on a recent thread about "what breed would you NEVER have again", Polish were mentioned quite a bit

I love the way they look and was thinking about getting one -- am planning to get a few baby chicks in the spring since my original four girls are down to two - but am now rethinking that after reading all the negative comments about Polish. Are they really that much trouble?

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

Quote:
I saw that thread too, most of those folks dont have a clue what they are talking about. Polish are not stupid, they are very gentle, never had an aggressive one, the "stupid" part all of them were saying comes from them not realising they have just bought a CRESTED breed, These cant see well outside of directly in front of them, there for they seem stupid.. not the case they just have blinders on. Also saw people sawing the dont socialize with others, that's crazy, all mine over the years always group together. Actually they benefit if free ranged by hanging out with non crested breeds, as they will use them as the "watch dogs". Only problem with them is they tend to get their crest wet when drinking, which here in the south is no problem, but in northern winters, it can freeze.
I wouldnt worry too much about what was said in that thread, some people just dont know what they have and how to care for them. All these type birds do best penned, just for their own protection due to the sight issue, aside from that, they are no different than any other chicken breed. They lay well, but are not very broody at all.




as for the white and red bird in question a few post up, well anyone though of red pyle? Sure looks like a weak version of one. I'm sure it has a few things mixed in with it, but a dominate white cross over to a b.t. red or some thing similar (bb red) would result in that pattern. I'd say it's red pyle hands down as for IT'S color, now what made it or what it has in it, no one will ever know with out breeding records...

 

[welasharon]

I love my silly little polish and will always have some...hoping I am fortunate one day to own a tolbunt (even if it's a cull). I am not into breeding but they are so darn cute!
sharon

 

[Paaz1120]

Thank you everyone for your insights about Einsteins color. His color isnt important to me just figured I would ask.

I have wanted a Polish for awhile and when I bought my Modern Pair, there he was!! a Cute little white Polish.
I begged my Loving Boyfriend If I could get him too and he gave in. Lol as the lady drove away We realized that Eintstein was indeed a boy.
We love him SOO much!!! Such a BEAUTIFUL bird and loving. He talks to me and follows me around like a little puppy. He is such a character!
He acts like the big man on campus but never tries to fight with the other roosters.

Sadly Einstein is an only Polish, but he seems to like it that way. Maybe one day we can get him a hen of his own,
He is very Intrigued with our little Red Frizzle Pullet, so maybe oneday their forbidden love will happen. lol

I Love looking at everyone's polish pictures and Cant wait to see more!

 

[Bunnylady]

Quote:
If we were walking around, trying to see around the edges of a blindfold, I imagine a lot of us would seem pretty "stupid" too!

I had LF WCB Polish for several years. Some of those roo's were pretty aggressive, most of both sexes were at least flighty. They tended not to "hang" with my non-crested birds, for good reason! Since they couldn't see the other birds coming, I imagine the dominance-order pecks seemed to come out of nowhere to them. When their crests got wet, the reddish skin became visible, and the other chickens couldn't resist picking at their heads. I have seen big, puffy, perfect Polish crests get picked nearly bald and bloody within a couple of hours after a rainstorm!

Not knowing about the vulnerability of the vaulted skulls, I didn't understand why I lost so many young Polish as they were growing out. Birds that had been fine one day would suddenly be stumbling, staggering, or unable to hold their heads up, with no other sign of disease or injury. Some recovered, most didn't. I suppose that makes the chicks a bit "special needs," but it shouldn't be enough to discourage anyone that wants to raise some. Those little pompom heads are just too cute!

I've decided to get back into Polish again. In addition to those two "mystery frizzleds," these are my current birds (also courtesy of Chickenzoo):

LF bearded BL cockerel "Spades"

LF bearded BL cockerel "Hearts"

LF WCB cockerel "Diamond" (does anybody see a pattern here?)

Bantam WCB pullet "Pearl"

"Hearts" has more lacing on his feathers than "Spades," so that makes him the better bird, right? I'm still getting the hang of chicken genetics, so still trying to figure out what to look for to breed with what I have. I suppose sticking to the lacing pattern would be best with Hearts and/or Spades, and keeping to the white-crowned pattern with Diamond and Pearl. Would Red be what I should look for with those two crazy frizzleds?

 

[elieugene6]

I do have to say. I would have never gotten a polish. I didn't want them I thought they were ugly and way to high maintenance. I had a little bantam wcb polish pullet forced on me this past august. Somebody bought her from the fair as a gag gift for someones birthday. Poor thing was half starved when I got her she was eating bird food for a week with no grit to be seen. I have since changed my mind about polish, well halfway. Yes they are quite high maintenance, but the reward is worth it. She is the sweetest little pullet. She sits on my shoulder and talks to me. I do worry about her due to the fact that winter is coming up. She free ranges with my black bantam cochin pair. They don't go far from the henhouse thankfully because sometimes she will get left behind and sits under something until she hears them or me. My kitten thinks she is a cute little cotton ball play toy. So thankfully my roo defends her.

I have done some clipping of her crest. Tried the rubberband but it didn't work. How short is too short to clip it? I want to make it as short as possible for winter. She does have problems with it poking her in the eye on one side as well. Is that normal?

 

[shay20]

My Midnight (gold laced polish) just wanted to say hi.
He is in such a huge molt

 

[chickenzoo]

Yes it is normal, I have to clip some of mine because their skin starts pulling down over their eyes due to the weight. You can clip as much off as you'd like, buzz cut what ever helps her out.....

 

[NoSkiveez]

Hello Everyone! I guess its about time I stop in here and say hello.

I do currently have Polish. I am actually in the process of downsizing my flocks. I just rehomed all of my Gold Polish, all of my Buff Polish and all of my Silver Polish. Im keeping my WCBlue and WCBlack polish. I also have Houdans and Spitzhaubens too. Im still in the process of downsizing.