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Polish/Paduan Chickens. Origin. The true origin of the breed is still highly speculated, but the debated places of origin include: Eastern Europe, Russia, Spain, and Italy. The breed is thought to have arrived in America between 1830 and 1840.
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Origin • The true origin of the breed is still highly speculated, but the debated places of origin include: Eastern Europe, Russia, Spain, and Italy. • The breed is thought to have arrived in America between 1830 and 1840. • The breed derived Polish as its name because of the feathered crest on the chicken’s head, which resembles the feathered caps worn by Polish soldiers. • The breed derived Paduan as a name after Italy’s Padua city.
Characteristics • Recognized by the large feathered crest on the top of its head. • Occasionally the crest will alter the chicken’s sight because it is so large. • Usually divided into two groups known as White Crested and Paduaner. • White Crested: typically non-bearded, has wattles, and comes in the colors of black, blue, and cuckoo. • Paduaner: typically bearded and comes in the colors of black, blue, white, chamois, gold, and silver laced.
Characteristics (Cont.) • Average hens weigh about 4.5 lbs. and average roosters weigh about 6 lbs. • Not a very good breed to use for meat because they were originally developed for laying and are known for their white eggs. • They are hardly ever broody. They usually need an incubator chicken to hatch their eggs. • Because they are so beautiful, they are mostly bred as pets.
Sources • http://keepingpetchickens.org/breeds-of-chickens/poland-chickens-polish-paduaner/ • http://www.backyardpoultrymag.com/issues/2/2-2/Terry_Beebe.html • http://www.albc-usa.org/cpl/polish.html • http://www.raising-chickens.org/polish.html