About the Blue Polish
The Polish is an ancient crested breed best known for its spectacular head feathering and elegant appearance. Although primarily regarded today as an ornamental and exhibition breed, Polish hens are also productive layers of white eggs. Their most distinctive feature is the large crest, which grows from a prominent bony protuberance on the skull.
The Blue variety has blue-grey plumage, with individual birds varying in shade. Under the Australian Standard, self-coloured Polish such as Blue may occur in either bearded or non-bearded form.
History & Origin
The precise origin of the Polish is uncertain. Despite its English name, there is no clear evidence that the breed originated in Poland. It is an old European breed associated particularly with the Netherlands and other parts of continental Europe, where crested poultry have been known for centuries.
Polish were recognised as a distinct type by at least the sixteenth century. Dutch breeders are credited with refining the breed’s colour patterns and developing the enormous crest that has become its defining characteristic.
Polish in Australia
The breed is recognised in Australia in both large and bantam forms and is maintained principally as an exhibition, ornamental and heritage breed.
Characteristics
Egg colour: White.
Egg size: Medium.
Average egg production: Approximately 150–200 eggs per year, averaging around 3–4 eggs per week across the year.
Weekly egg figures are annual averages. Actual laying varies with age, season, daylight, nutrition and individual bird.
Day-old sexing: Blue Polish are not an autosexing or sex-linked breed, so males and females cannot be reliably distinguished by colour at hatch. Sex generally becomes clearer as the crest, comb and sex-specific feathering develop.
Temperament: Generally gentle but often timid, easily startled and somewhat flighty. The large crest can restrict a Polish bird’s vision, meaning a bird may react suddenly when approached from outside its field of view. Regular calm handling can make them considerably easier to manage.
Broodiness: Low. Polish hens are generally regarded as non-sitters and are not normally relied upon for broodiness.
Notable features: The spectacular crest is the defining characteristic of the Polish. They have a small V-shaped or horn-type comb, with little or no visible comb preferred. Blue is a self-coloured variety and, under the Australian Standard, may occur in either bearded or non-bearded form.
Genetic anomaly: The Blue colour does not breed true. When two Blue birds are mated together, offspring can be expected to average approximately 25% Black, 50% Blue and 25% Splash. This three-way colour split is a normal result of the genetics responsible for Blue plumage and does not indicate that the chicks are incorrectly bred. Black and Splash offspring from Blue parents can also be useful within a Blue breeding program.
Hardiness: Polish can cope well under normal poultry-keeping conditions, but their crest requires additional management. Restricted vision can leave them more vulnerable to predators and bullying from other birds, while wet or dirty crest feathers can cause problems around the eyes. Crests should be regularly checked for parasites and kept clean and dry where possible
Rare Breed Status
The large Polish is currently classified as WATCH by the Rare Breeds Trust of Australia. RBTA assesses rarity at breed and size level rather than individual colour variety, so this WATCH classification applies to large Polish generally rather than specifically to the Blue variety.
Current Availability
See what’s currently available from Deb’s Heritage Hens.