These vary in age from just off heat to a few weeks old

The White-Crested Black Polish is arguably the most famous and striking variety of the Polish breed. Their stark contrast makes them look like they are wearing a formal tuxedo paired with a giant, fluffy white top hat.

Crest Anatomy: Roosters vs. Hens

You can easily tell the boys from the girls just by looking at the shape of that signature white crest:

• Hens (Females): Have a very neat, tight, rounded “pom-pom” crest. The feathers are smooth and form a solid dome.

• Roosters (Males): Have a much wilder, erratic crest. Their feathers are long, pointed, and drape down over their faces like a messy rockstar haircut. Roosters will also grow thin, cascading black feathers (hackles and saddles) around their necks and backs.

Key Characteristics & Personality

• Personality: Docile, gentle, and incredibly quirky. Because their crests block their peripheral and upward vision, they can be easily startled if you approach them silently.

• The “Polish Poke”: Owners often call out or whistle when entering the coop so they don’t give their Polish chickens a fright. When startled, they tend to freeze or run in frantic, comical zig-zags.

• Production: They are steady layers of medium white eggs (about 3 per week). They rarely go broody, meaning they prefer to lay eggs rather than sit on them to hatch them.

Special Care Tips for White-Crested Breeds

If you are thinking of keeping them, they require a tiny bit of extra maintenance compared to a standard backyard chicken:

Keep Them Dry: The crest feathers absorb water easily. If they get soaked in the winter, the moisture can sit against their skull and cause them to chill or get sick. A covered run is highly recommended.

Haircuts May Be Required: If a hen or rooster is getting picked on by other flock mates, or if they are crashing into walls because they can’t see, it is very common for owners to gently trim the feathers around their eyes or tie the crest up with a loose hair scrunchie.