The Polish, also known as the Poland, is a European breed of crested chicken known for its remarkable feather crest.The oldest accounts of these birds come from the Netherlands; their exact origins are unknown, however.
In addition to combs, they are adorned with large crests that nearly cover the entirety of the head. This condition limits their vision and, as a result, can affect their temperament. Thus, though normally tame, they may be timid and easily frightened.
Though 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.
The Polish was standardized in the Netherlands and declared a thoroughbred in the 16th century. Chickens bearing a strong resemblance to the Polish can be seen in paintings from the 15th century, and the breed was extensively portrayed in Dutch and Italian paintings from the 16th through the 18th centuries.
Though they are usually only a fair layer at best today, in France they were once known as an excellent producer of eggs.
The American Poultry Association states that the breed was introduced to America between 1830 and 1840. The breed was, during a certain period of time, favored by American farmers and chicken fanciers.
The American Poultry Association accepted three Polish varieties into the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Perfection in 1874; additional varieties were accepted in 1883, 1938, and 1963.
