History of the non bearded Polands
It is the received opinion
that the cradle of our Dutch crested fowls is southeast Russia. By
the 16th century the Dutch traded with Russia. The trade was
strengthened when Czar Peter the Great came to Holland (1696) in order
to learn about shipbuilding. In 1698 he again left to Russia. In these
times Dutch merchant adventures went over land and over sea to far
eastern countries including Russia.
Many
canvasses of Dutch painters, famous today, show crested fowl with or
without a beard. Even a White-crested Black is to be seen on a painting (signed
1657) by Jan Monckhorst.
Melchior d' Hondecoeter (1636-1695) often painted crested fowl, as did
the famous genre-painter Jan Steen (1626-1679). Albert Cuyp (1620-1695)
painted crested fowl on a canvas dated 1651.
Polands, non bearded
Crested fowl are
pre-eminently show birds. Formerly they were kept utilitarian because
they were much larger and heavier then the existing farm-fowl, thus
providing larger eggs and more meat. The breed’s typical feature is, of
course, the knob on the bird’s cranium. Even at birth it is clearly
visible. The larger the knob, the larger the crest. The ideal crest
is large and round, but does not cover the eyes.
The cock's crest feathers should be narrow like the feathers of the neck and saddle, thus the crest is somewhat flattened at the front and the longest crest feathers will reach as far as the lower end of the wattles. The hen's crest feathers are rounder and shorter, thus enabling the crest to become large, round and serried. The breed has many colours, the crest is always white.
Black-crested
Whites are the exception but they have never been
large in numbers although there is a small enthusiastic group of breeders trying
to keep the breed.
The
most well known colour, also because of the striking contrast between a black
body and a white crest. It is the color which is bred most, both in large and in
bantam. The birds are bred all over the world by a dedicated number of breeders
in every country. The size of the crest can be different. In continental Europe
a smaller crest is bred than in other parts of the world, mainly due to the fact
that the discussion on vision has been more in depth in continental European
countries.
Also
a self white Polish is a nice bird to look at, with large red wattles. The
quality of this color is mostly excellent in the Netherlands, thanks to some
older experienced breeders with good strains. Nevertheless, this color needs
more breeders. Certainly with the large birds.
Essentially
blue is a intermediate color and therefore difficult to breed. Blue can have
various intensities, which is also a matter of taste (of breeder and judges). A
dark lacing is required. Also here: more breeders needed!
The
name is based on the cuckoo bird since the color looks very much like that of a
cuckoo. Unfortunately this is one of the most rare colors. Only a few breeders
are actively breeding this color, not only in the Netherlands, but worldwide. So
breeders: take up the challenge!
White crested mottled
These birds have mainly black plumage in which feathers are tipped with white. There are still some breeders who keep this color, both in large and in bantam.
Mottled chocolate
A
color which has been recreated in the 1960’s. Actually the
first stories on this color date back to the 15th century in the
Netherlands. This color is not so good yet as its mirror image, the white
crested black. The bc white bantam has been recognized in 2002 in the
Netherlands and Germany. In Switzerland in 2001. Separate lines of breeding have
been created in the USA.
A
striking color of a non bearded bantam Poland which has been created in Germany.
The colour appeals to many, because of the fine contrast between a buff body and
a white crest. It has been created with the use of buff leghorn. This colour has
also been introduced in the Netherlands and UK, but has not yet been recognized
in these countries.
Breeding
a black crested buff is as “easy” as creating a white crested buff. However,
although we do see this colour occasionally, no breeder has been focusing on the colour fully. Who takes up the challenge?
A
colour created in former East Germany. This colour exists only in large bearded Polands. Tollbunt has various colours, dark brown, white and black. Actually the
creator started with the idea of creating a porcelain Poland, but he stopped
halfway. Nevertheless a nice colorful colour.
This
color for bearded bantam Polands is created in England and has only been seen
there sofar. Terry Beebe is trying to improve the quality of this striking
color.
White crested khaki
A color from the USA, created by Al Westling. A fine color which only exists in bantam. A description of how it was created can be found at our site under Info Desk.
Also
a colour created by Al Westling from the USA. A “dark khaki. Also the making of
this color can be found under Info Desk.
Self Black
The black bearded Poland with a nice greenish sheen is a stunning appearance. Compared to the WC black the bearded Poland is self black. The large ones are hardly bred and seen, the black bantam is more common, fortunately.
Self White
The self white Polands are present in good quality, but in a small basis, only a few breeders are active in this colour. They are nice to see in their white, shining outfit with nice dark blue legs and beak.
Self Blue
Blue is an intermediate colour and, therefore, difficult to breed. Fortunately there are some persistent breeders, both for self blue large and bantam.Self Cuckoo
The Self Cuckoo Poland is hardly existent, in many European countries. The same applies for the bantam variety. It is a nicer colour for experienced breeders.
Gold laced
The laced varieties appeal to many people. This is also the base for gold laced. A nice gold feather with a black lacing. Not too many fanciers, so more breeders required.
Buff laced
This is, for years, the most popular colour. At least for bantam. The large ones are waiting for more breeders.
Silver laced
The variety with the most contrast. Still, more help is needed, particularly for the large ones.
Frizzled Poland's (non bearded)
The
non bearded Poland's are also recognized in frizzle. The frizzle varieties have
been recreated by Arie Boland in the 1980’s. This breeder,
who died much too early, had made it his life time achievement to create frizzle
Poland's in all colors.
His
strains are the basis of all frizzled Poland's all over the world. Nevertheless
frizzle Poland's seem to be more popular in (some) other countries than in the
Netherlands.
Breeders do experiment
now and then and sometimes get some interesting results. Not all
experiments end up in a serious color but they are interesting to show.
Here you find some.