The Polish or Poland is a European breed of crested chicken. Its origins are unknown; similar birds are shown in seventeenth-century images from Italy and the Netherlands.
 A silver-laced cock | |
| Other names | Poland |
|---|---|
| Traits | |
| Weight | |
| Egg color | white |
| Comb type | v-shaped |
| Classification | |
| APA | continental [2] |
| ABA | all other combs, clean legged |
| |
The birds have a small v-shaped comb and an abundant crest of feathers on the crown of the head. They are kept for show or for ornament. There are bearded, non-bearded and frizzle varieties.[citation needed]
Etymology
edit
The origins of the breed's name in the English language are uncertain. The breed could have been named after the country of Poland.[3] Its name could have also come from the Middle Dutch word pol 'head' (compare origin of poll tax), in reference to the Polish's dome-shaped skull.[4]
In all other european countries, including Poland, the breed is known as "Dutch crest fowl" in the respective languages.[5]
History
editThough the derivation of the Polish breed is unclear, one theory suggests that their ancestors were brought by Asian Mongols to Central and Eastern Europe during medieval times, and thus, could have originated in Poland.[citation needed] Crested chickens aree seen in paintings from the 15th century,[1][dubious – discuss] and in Dutch and Italian paintings from the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries.
Though usually only a fair layer at best today, in France they were formerly kept for their eggs.[4] Three colour varieties were included in the first edition of the Standard of Perfection in 1874; additional varieties were added in 1883, 1938 and 1963.[2]
Characteristics
editThe Polish has a small v-shaped comb, which may be hidden by the crest. The earlobes and wattles are small and may also be completely hidden. Some varieties possess "beards" and thus may also hide the appearance of the wattles. The earlobes are white, the comb and wattles bright red.[1]
References
edit
- ^ a b c d Carol Ekarius (2007). Storey's Illustrated Guide to Poultry Breeds. North Adams, Massachusetts: Storey Publishing. ISBN 9781580176675, pages 145–146.
- ^ a b APA Recognized Breeds and Varieties: As of January 1, 2012. American Poultry Association. Archived 4 November 2017.
- ^ Damerow, Gail (31 January 2012). The chicken encyclopedia. North Adams, MA: Storey Pub. p. 208. ISBN 978-1-60342-561-2.
- ^ a b Bassom, Frances (2009). Chicken breeds & care : a color directory of the most popular breeds and their care (1. ed.). Buffalo, N.Y.: Firefly Books. p. 107. ISBN 978-1-55407-473-0.
- ^ "Listing of large fowl breeds and colors accepted in Europe". March 15, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.