Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Exotic Breeds
Who says all your chickens have to be the same breed or type? A few of the more exotic
Oriental, crested, or feather-footed breeds added to your flock provide variety and char-
acter. There are dozens of varieties and breeds; I include only a few of my favorites here.
Polish Crested
I've always thought that no backyard flock can be complete without a few crested
Polish
chickens. They come in an array of colors, and fanciers create more color varieties
all the time. Some of the more common colors and color patterns are Silver Laced,
Golden Laced, White Crested Black, White Crested Blue, Black Crested Blue, White,
Buff Laced, Red, Chocolate, and Cuckoo. The availability of these different colors is
constantly changing because one color becomes popular and everyone must have one
until it's replaced by another color fad. Availability is also based on the relative ease or
difficulty of maintaining vigor and a rich color quality.
These birds are ornamental yet also very good layers of white eggs. As non-setters,
however, they are not going to raise their young, but will provide a great deal of curiosity
and beauty as they roam among your other birds.
Take extra care with Polish crested chickens, as they are prone to predator attacks.
They make easy prey for hawks, cats, foxes, and the like because their crest often covers
their eyes; they can't clearly see what's going on above or around them.
Crevecoeurs and Houdans
Closely related to the Polish are the Crevecoeurs and the Houdans, breeds that are part
of the Continental class of birds.
