Polish Hen

Polish Hen

The Polish hen is one of the most recognizable and ornamental chicken breeds, known for her striking feathered crest and elegant appearance. Despite her fancy look, she’s a friendly and curious bird that fits well into backyard flocks.

Appearance:

• Crest: A large, fluffy crest of feathers on top of the head gives Polish hens their signature look — often so full it can obscure their vision.
• Feathering: Sleek, tight feathering on the body contrasts beautifully with the rounded crest.
• Color Varieties: Available in several stunning colors, including White Crested Black, Buff Laced, Silver Laced, and Golden.
• Size: Medium-sized, typically 4–5 pounds.
• Comb: V-shaped comb, often hidden beneath the crest.

Temperament:

• Docile, gentle, and curious — generally non-aggressive and easy to handle.
• Because their vision can be limited by their crest, they may be startled easily and tend to be lower in the pecking order.
• Great with children and calm flocks.

Egg Production:

• Moderate layers of small to medium white eggs.
• Typically lay around 150–200 eggs per year.
• Not usually broody.

Purpose:

• Primarily ornamental and kept for companionship, shows, or as eye-catching additions to flocks.
• Occasionally kept for eggs, but not known for high production.

Care Notes:

• Keep their crests clean and dry to avoid vision problems or feather-related health issues.
• Not ideal for wet or muddy conditions.
• Best kept in secure runs or protected areas due to limited vision and flightiness.