Golden laced Polish chickens are well known for their bouffant crest on their head and unique feather pattern with a golden color. They are mostly raised for exhibition, ornamental, or as pets.
This blog post is all about these unique, exhibition chickens.
Let’s get started.
Quick Overview
| Origin | Europe |
| APA Recognition | Yes |
| Abundance | Common |
| Purpose | Pets/Exhibition/Ornamental |
| Chicken Size | Medium |
| Plumage Color | Golden Black |
| Comb Type | Small, Single |
| Egg Production | Medium, 100 Small White Eggs/Year |
| Egg Size | Medium |
| Egg Color | White |
| Hardiness | Heat Hardy, Not Very Cold Hardy |
| Temperament | Docile, Gentle, Friendly, and Flighty |
| Broodiness | Rarely or Non-setter |
| Female Weight | 4.5 lbs |
| Male Weight | About 6 lbs |
| Bantam Male Weight | 1.8 lbs |
| Bantam Female Weight | 1.6 lbs |
Brief History of Golden Laced Polish Chicken
In the 1600s, people started calling it the Golden Laced Polish chicken. They came from Europe and were valued for their ornamental purpose and pretty looks.
In the 1600s, these chickens were seen in paintings from places like the Netherlands and Italy, which made them more famous among people.
The Netherlands breeders worked on this breed to keep the Golden Laced Polish chicken’s special traits and qualities.
Golden Laced Polish chickens are selectively bred for improved egg production. They are known for their distinctive crests and feather patterns.
The unique characteristics and pretty look caught the attention of breeders and chicken enthusiasts, and they were brought to the US in the late 1900s.
According to APA standards, the Golden Laced Polish is classified as a continental breed and is also found in a bantam version.
Golden Laced Polish Temperament
Golden laced Polish chickens are friendly and easygoing. They’re usually calm and gentle, making them a great choice for backyard chicken keepers.
These chickens usually adapt and do fine when kept in a coop, or confinement but like all chickens, they also want to roam and explore their environment.
They are also good flighty birds and roam well in trees. Their vision is sometimes blurred or blocked by the crest feather so they frighten easily and often startle them and they will fly off when approaching them silently.
Plus, Golden Laced Polish chickens are among the smartest and most intelligent chicken breeds. You can train and teach them tricks and they’ll even recognize their names.
Overall they are suitable for beginner or new chicken keepers or families with children as they are friendly, calm, loving, and enjoy human company.
Golden Laced Polish Appearance
The golden laced Polish chicken has a medium-sized body covered in beautiful golden feathers edged with black and its distinctive black and gold plumage.
They have an impressive crest of feathers on their heads, and the feathers around it stand upright, but the crest feathers of these chickens are fluffier.
They have white earlobes if you look closely, you’ll see they have small combs and wattles, which might not be obvious at first glance. Their legs are clean or bare of feathers and have a noticeable bluish-gray color.
Golden Laced Polish roosters have shinier and more distinct lacing and usually weigh around 6 lbs, while hens weigh around 4.5 lbs.
Golden Laced Polish Chicken Egg Production
Golden laced Polish chickens are exhibition birds and are primarily raised for ornamental purposes. They are also capable of laying a moderate number of eggs.
These chickens start laying eggs at around 5 to 6 months of age and lay persistently once they start laying. Start giving them complete layer feed when they’re 18 to 20 weeks old. This helps them get all the nutrients they need to begin laying eggs.
Golden laced Polish chickens lay about 150 to 200 medium or big white eggs each year or 3 to 4 per week. They rarely go broody and hardly ever want to sit on their eggs.
Golden Laced Polish Hen vs Rooster
Golden Laced Polish roosters have messier, less tidy, more wild crests of feathers on their heads compared to hens, and the feathers of roosters are pointed, while hens have rounded feathers.
Roosters chickens have a bigger and redder wattle compared to hens chickens, and Roosters have longer tail feathers than hens. The Golden Laced Polish rooster is around 2 inches bigger and around 2 pounds heavier than hens.
Gold Laced and also Buff Laced polish chicken may have different colors, the rooster’s feathers can be more vibrant and distinct in color than the hens.
Roosters are loud and sometimes act aggressively to dangers or threats, while Hens are usually calm, docile, and busy in laying.
Care for Golden-Laced Polish Chicken
As an owner, it’s important to understand the specific needs of this breed to provide them with proper care.
Coop
Like all chickens, Golden Laced Polish chickens need a safe and secure coop to call home.
The size of the coop will depend on the number of birds you have, However it is recommended to provide at least 4 square feet of space per bird.
These chickens do not do well in harsh weather conditions. So make sure their coop is well-insulated and draft-free and you can also provide a coop heater.
Additionally, their coop should have good ventilation to prevent respiratory issues. The floor of the coop should be covered with a thick layer of bedding such as straw or wood shavings to keep it dry and clean.
Diet
A healthy diet is essential for Golden Laced Polish chickens to maintain their beautiful feathers and overall health.
Their diet should consist of high-quality chicken feed that is specifically formulated for laying hens.
You can also supplement their diet with fresh fruits and vegetables, including leafy greens, corn, berries, and mealworms.
It is important to provide clean and fresh water at all times, as chickens need access to water throughout the day.
Personality and Behavior
Their head crests can obstruct their vision and make them more vulnerable to predators, so it is important to supervise any free-range time and provide plenty of hiding spots for them in their coop.
They are also active birds and enjoy foraging, so it is recommended to provide plenty of space for them to explore.
However, they can be flighty and may require clipping their wings or installing a covered run area to prevent them from escaping.
Health
As with all chicken breeds, regular health checks are important for golden-laced Polish chickens.
Watch out for signs of illness such as changes in appetite, feather loss, or abnormal behaviors.
It is also important to keep their coop clean and regularly remove any droppings or debris that may harbor bacteria or parasites.
If you notice any concerning symptoms, consult a veterinarian who specializes in poultry care for proper diagnosis and treatment.
It is also recommended to vaccinate your chickens against common diseases such as Marek’s disease and avian influenza.
Winding Up
Golden Laced Polish chickens are mostly raised for shows or as pets and look pretty. They have gold feathers with black edges and have big, fancy crests of feathers on their heads.
These chickens are usually calm and friendly, so they’re great for families. For those who enjoy keeping chickens as pets and want one for their backyard this is the best option.
Let’s finish the article now. If you have any questions, you can ask us in the comments or through email.
FAQs
How many eggs do golden laced Polish chickens lay?
On average golden laced Polish hen can lay from 150 to 200 white medium or large eggs per year.
What color eggs do golden laced Polish chickens lay?
Golden Laced Polish chickens lay white eggs.
When do Polish chickens start laying eggs?
At the age of 5 to 6 months, these chickens start laying eggs and lay persistently once they start laying.
How long do golden laced Polish chickens live?
On average golden laced Polish chickens can live for 5 to 8 years, with proper care and maintenance.
Are Polish chickens cold-hardy?
Polish chickens prefer warm and dry environments and climates when it’s cold. Their fluffy head feathers can get wet and make them cold and sometimes even freeze up.
Polish chickens need to stay warm because they can’t handle the cold very well and are hardy.
Are Polish chickens friendly?
Polish chickens are calm, friendly, and love to be around humans. But they get scared and frightened easily and might be a bit nervous due to their large crest.
Are Polish chickens good egg layers?
No, they are moderate layers, laying around 150 to 200 white eggs a year. These chickens are not best for egg production but are perfect for ornamental purposes or as pets.
Hello! I’m Ibrahim, the owner and writer of this blog. I run a chicken farm with 160 chickens, and I’ve gained a lot of knowledge about raising and caring for them. Now, I want to share my insights and experiences with you to help you in chicken keeping.
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