I have been interested in Polish chickens for a long time and have been watching for discussions about this breed. I saved the Smithsonian Magazine with the Polish photo essay because I was so facinated. What is their personality? Temperment? I have read that they are somewhat quietier than other breeds. Breeding?
Setting eggs? Fertility? Crossbreedings?
I'm planning to purchase the crested bantam book but am very interested in personal experiences with these critters.
Thanks.
Jan

Jan,
The Polish breed is one of my most favorite. They can be calm if they are handled enough. I always love to take them to the petting zoo when ever I am asked to bring out a couple of chickens. People are amazed with them. Sometimes it takes some convincing before the people realize that yes they really are chickens and that they do have eyes. Most every major hatchery magazine sells Polish chicks and eggs. They come in several different color variations (white, black-white crested, silver, and golden). I wouldn't really call them a bantam or a standard because they are really an inbetween size. Have fun with them!
Chick47

Jan
We raise Bantam polish and find them a lot of fun they are not terrific layers and are almost never broody.
They are wonderful pets and will quite happily ride around on my sons shoulder. Try to get your first ones from a breeder who can instruct you in proper size and crest formation. (they should be able to see and should be the correct size for either a bantam or a standard)
good luck.

Hi There, I have polish chickens and they are great! I bought them from the local feed store when they were just 3 days old now they are 3 months old. I am still trying to figure out which ones are hens and which are roosters. The silver polish I have figured out but the White crested blacks are tough to figure out for some reason. The feathers are pointy and straight on their crests. They are the sweetest breed I have ever raised. If anyone can answer this rooster, hen question, Please Email me at AuntDDDD@aol.com. I would love to talk chicken with you.
P.S. I have that same issue of Smithsonian Magazine! I keep opening it up to compare mine with the pictures!

Chickie, The unusual chickens in the Smithsonian article are nice, but the Dutch Bantam is a real cull! Too bad they could not have chosen a correct one! CJR

Cjeanr, I hate to sound dumb, but what is a cull? I thought that meant killing? Is that what you meant?
..Chickie..

Chickie, A cull is a really poor bird that you want to remove from your flock--kill, give away, or just wish it were not there. Sometimes we keep culls if we are tender hearted! But the bird is less than desirable (but not sick). CJR

Cjeanr, Thank you for clearing that up for me. I thought I was on the right track with the killing or getting rid of. I couldn't do that to any of my birds. They are all my babies good and bad. I have a rooster who has such an ugly color. He is a cross breed of Aracauna and Barred Rock I think. But he is the most gentle and sweet bird. He talks to all the chickens and tells them he has found some goodie, then they take it right out of his mouth. He actually likes to be held too. I would have a hard time getting rid of him even thogh he really is a messy looking bird.
Thanks again for the info.
What kind of chickens do you raise,Polish?
I have never had them till this spring. They are my favorites. With those inoccent little faces and big heads, how could you ever have a Cull. Bye...Chickie

talk to me!!!
am looking for some polish, silver laced bantys and white crested blue bantys. e-mail me if you know of any in south eastern U.S.
yoshim@bellsouth.com

correction on prev. message, email adress should read yoshim@bellsouth.net

can anybody tell me the life span of the polish breed ? how many different varities are there of this breed and what is the real (tech)name of the breed ? where did they originate ?

The life span on the polish is the same for any breed,the breed is believed to have originated in France,not poland,the polish came from the knob on the top of the head that used to be called a poll and somehow turned into polish.The recognized varieties are White Crested Black N.B.(non-bearded) Silver Laced B. and N.B., Golden Laced B. & N.B. ,White B & N.B. ,Black Crested White N.B. and White Crested Blue N.B. There are other unusual varieties like cucko,and chocolates which were just admitted to the apa and others which aren't.they come in bantam and large fowl .Hope this helps .Karyn & Chuck

Opps! I forgot Buff Laced Polish B. & N.B. Sorry Karyn & Chuck

I hope those interested in the Polish bantams have better luck with them than I did. I tried raising the silvers, buff-lace, and goldens with no luck. Very poor lay rate, low fertility, unthrifty chicks that died after several days. Perhaps I was sold everyone elses poorer birds as breeders. Perhaps also, these birds are so rare, the gene pool is inbred.
I'm not giving up, though, and would like to try the WCB Polish one of these days. The lacing is also such a challenge to get right, I'll stick to the solid breeds. I have had very good luck with Dick Gruebel's mott. houdan bantams, though.

I have had very good luck with a batch of polish chicks i got from murray mcmurray. I have white-crested black, buff-laced, gold, and silver. They are very easy going birds (although they are somewhat prone to running into things). They are very healthy. I also have a crevecour and a houdan (also crested breeds). They are big, healthy birds as well.