Poland's, bearded (buff-laced)

This breed has existed for many centuries in the Netherlands. The crest is the most important characteristic, but there are also fowls with and without beard. In 1835 the first Polish arrived in England. The name leads to confusion. In England, Australia and the U.S.A. they are called Polish, and a distinction is made between fowl with and without beards. Those with beards are known as 'Hollandse Kuifhoenders'. In Germany they are still called Paduaner. 

By selection of the Brabanter, the Polish bearded have come into existence. Around 1600 Ulyssus Aldrovandi described a fowl with a crest and beard, which he called Patagonians. In 1632 John Jonston (born in Scotland) took one's doctor's degree in Leiden and published in the 'Nauwkeurige Beschrijving van de natuur' (1660) descriptions of a fowl with crest and beard which he named Gallina Patavina and a fowl with crest and without beard which he named Gallus Patavinus.

Before 1925 the breed did not exist in the special club of Dutch poultry breeds. The Polish are quite well developed fowls. They are somewhat taller on the leg and have a longer body then the normal Rual breeds. Typical for the breed is the large crest, the beard and the whiskers. The crest grows from a peculiar craniological formation of the skull. The bigger the formation, the bigger the crest. A comb is nearly or total absent. The breed should not have wattles. The bearded Polands exist in beautiful colourings. Their housing must be dry and sheltered. They lay characteristic white eggs in moderate numbers. They do not go broody very often.