How hardy are polishes?

[SweetTea&Chicks]

Hi! I planning on getting a couple polishes in the spring or summer. I was wondering how hardy these chickens are. I live in north Georgia; we barely get any snow, just a couple of inches. I'm not really worrying about the cold because I've been reading up about it and everyone says they do good in cold but, I couldn't find anything about heat. Our summers can get intense. I do believe it got up in the 100s a few years ago. Are these chickens heat tolerant? If they aren't are there ways to help keep them cool or would it be best to just not get any. Thanks!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Polish are a lighter breed and should do okay in the heat. They are also a flighty breed who tends to get hysterical over small things. You do need to be careful adding them with non crested breeds. They are one of the more challenging breed to keep.

 

[ChickenGirl555]

I'm not a complete master on polish but I'm getting some in the spring and heat is NOT my problem. If you've never been to Wisconsin, the winters are pretty harsh, and summer is not sweating buckets type of heat, but enough to wear a tank top.

Usually (for cold) any breed will be feathered out by the cold seasons if you get them in early spring, and will be fine, especially for you. Wisconsin can get to -12F sometimes, and my chickens are acting like it's summer right now in 30-40F weather!

Heat wise, (once again when I researched I wasn't the slightest bit worried about heat so don't take JUST my word for heat) I think polish are a pretty heat-hardy bird. And if it does get to 100, make sure they at least have shade and if they seem like they're dieing then give them a fan or bring them inside your cool house if possible. Polish don't have as many feathers as other cold hardy breeds that I have now (barred rock, easter egger, buff orp) so I'm pretty sure they'll be ok to have. But remember, there are many other people with more experience than me, I just like to help when I can.

 

[sylviethecochin]

They're very heat tolerant and probably well suited to your climate, but from personal experience, I would not recommend them. Even my polish/bantam cochin crosses are ridiculously flighty, and they tend to be on the very bottom of the pecking order. And they lay badly. I prefer to stick with the low-maintenance breeds.

That said, if you do decide to get them, good luck and I hope you enjoy your birds.

 

[SweetTea&Chicks]

Thanks so much! Now, since you said that, I might not get them. I was looking at Speckled Sussex and thought they looked like great birds. Thanks again!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Definitely avoid polish if you aren't prepared for the extra work and care they can require. Those without crests are definitely better.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Polish chickens tend to serve as targets of convenience for larger, stronger, and more athletic chickens. One important aspect of the pecking order is which chicken gets to associate or hangout with the more important flock members. A crested or hooded chicken, especially a smaller bird is always bumping into and violating the personal space of more self important flock members. This can result in life becoming a living hades for the seeing challenged bird.

 

[ChickenGirl555]

Definitely avoid polish if you aren't prepared for the extra work and care they can require. Those without crests are definitely better.

I was thinking of getting polish and I live in southern Wisconsin, do you think I'd be ok with adding 2 to my 7 birds? None of my current birds are big breeds. I'm up for the extra care and have done all my research, so I'd like advice from a fellow Wisconsinite if this won't FOR SURE end in something horrible.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I was thinking of getting polish and I live in southern Wisconsin, do you think I'd be ok with adding 2 to my 7 birds? None of my current birds are big breeds. I'm up for the extra care and have done all my research, so I'd like advice from a fellow Wisconsinite if this won't FOR SURE end in something horrible.

What are your other breeds? And how big is your set up? It's better to add them in greater numbers if your birds aren't familiar with crested breeds. I wouldn't add them if your set up is smaller or your breeds are some of the more aggressive breeds like reds and sex links.

You need to be ready to separate them out if trouble develops. Their crest can attract pecking, which can be deadly. Mine are completely free range, I trim their crests, and they are much better since I started to. They handle our winters fine. It is the dynamics in the flock that can be a problem as well as their reactions to situations.

 

[ChickenGirl555]

What are your other breeds? And how big is your set up? It's better to add them in greater numbers if your birds aren't familiar with crested breeds. I wouldn't add them if your set up is smaller or your breeds are some of the more aggressive breeds like reds and sex links.

You need to be ready to separate them out if trouble develops. Their crest can attract pecking, which can be deadly. Mine are completely free range, I trim their crests, and they are much better since I started to. They handle our winters fine. It is the dynamics in the flock that can be a problem as well as their reactions to situations.

I have two of each breed, Buff Orp, Barred rock, and Easter egger/Ameraucauna (cant tell which it is yet but guessing Easter egger). I try to let them free range every day but I also don’t let them free range when I’m not home, because of our hawk and possum population. (So far had no predator problems but still want to stay safe!) like I said I understand the extra responsibilities and I WILL trim their feathers at first so the others get used to the crest and once they ARE used to it, I’ll let it grow a little longer but I’ll also ALWAYS trim it so they can see because I know the danger of a ‘blind’ chicken. I don’t have any roosters, also. And im going to try and slip the polish chicks under a broody mama, so the integration won’t be as tough on them.