Polish

Polish chickens, called Poland in some older British and exhibition contexts, are old European crested chickens with an uncertain origin despite the name. Their defining feature is a large rounded crest, often supported by a vaulted skull, with a small V-shaped comb hidden beneath the feathers. Some varieties also have beards and muffs. White-crested Black, Silver Laced, Golden Laced, Buff Laced, White, and other color forms are kept mainly for exhibition and ornamental flocks, although hens can lay a fair number of white eggs.

The crest makes Polish chickens attractive but also changes how they should be housed and handled. Feathers around the eyes can limit vision, so birds may be startled easily and are at greater risk from predators or bullying flockmates. Many keepers trim or tie crests for welfare when birds are not being shown, and dry covered runs help prevent dirty, frozen, or mite-infested head feathers. Crested chicks need gentle brooder management because pecking injuries to the head can be more serious than in ordinary clean-headed breeds.

Colors: Barred, Birchen, Black, Blue, Brown, Buff, Buff Laced, Columbian, Crele, Cuckoo, Duckwing, Gold, Golden Laced, Gold Laced, Laced, Lavender, Mille Fleur, Mottled, Partridge, Penciled, Porcelain, Red, Silver, Silver Laced, Spangled, Splash, Tolbunt, Wheaten, White, White Crested Black