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The Sussex Chicken is the perfect addition to just about any flock. They make great meat birds, lay a ton of eggs, or can be the friendliest backyard chicken friend you will ever meet.

Sussex Chickens are some of the more reliable layers around. They will give you several large, light brown eggs a week. Their size also makes them excellent protein sources for those who like to raise their own food.

The Sussex is very cold hardy but also fares well in warmer climates too. Lets take a deeper dive into some more of this breed’s history, personality, and appearance.

Everything About The Sussex Chicken

Origin And History

The Sussex Chicken is one of the oldest breeds known today. It’s first known place of origin was, appropriately, Sussex, England.

One of the first recorded instances of the Sussex Chicken was in 1845 at an exhibition for the London Zoo. It was billed as the “Old Sussex” or “Kent Fowl”. It is likely that these birds were of the Speckled Sussex variety as it is believed to be the oldest of the initial recognized colors.

The breed standard was set in 1902 and consisted of the Light, Red, and, the previously mentioned, Speckled Sussex.

Appearance

The Sussex is a fairly large bird, with the roosters getting up to 9 lbs. They have a stocky build and look adorable as they waddle around foraging for food.

Color & Feathering

Sussex Chickens are officially recognized by two of the largest poultry organizations out there. Those organizations are the American Poultry Association (APA) and the Poultry Club of Great Britain.

The American Poultry Association only recognizes three colors while the Poultry club of Great Britain recognizes eight. Those recognized colors are:

American Poultry Association

• Light
• Red
• Speckled

Poultry Club of Great Britain

• Brown
• Buff
• Coronation
• Light
• Red
• Silver
• Speckled
• White

Size

The Sussex Chicken is considered to be a large breed. Both the hens and roosters of this breed can get pretty big.

Hens are generally smaller than roosters and that is no different here. However, a Sussex hen can still grow up to 7 lbs on their own! The Sussex rooster can get all the up to a whopping 9 lbs!

You can also find Bantam Sussex Chickens. You may already know that Bantams are typically about one third of the size of the standard breed. For example, a Bantam Sussex hen will weight somewhere around 2.5 lbs while a Bantam Sussex rooster may weigh around 3.3 lbs.

Comb and Wattles

The Sussex Chicken’s comb is a bright red, single comb. They also have a small set of bright red wattles under their beak.

The comb and wattles of a chicken is one of the ways the bird is able to regulate it’s own temperature. Similar to an elephant’s tusks, blood circulates through them, is cooled or warmed and then recirculated back through the body. This keeps the chicken’s core temperature at the desired level.

Miscellaneous

Other notable features of this breed are their bright red earlobes, white legs, white skin, and four toes.

When they were initially bred as table birds, they gained a good reputation as being very flavorful. Their light skin coloring and, oddly enough, number of toes, was a sign that they came from a well sourced flock.

What Are They Like?

One thing that is great about the Sussex Chicken is how docile and friendly they are. They are also a great bird for beginner’s because of how low -maintenance they can be.

Temperament & Personality

We had a Speckled Sussex hen for almost 8 years. She was incredibly friendly and, honestly, one of the sweetest chickens we’ve ever had.

It is not uncommon for a Sussex to come out and meet you whenever you end up near their coop or wherever they happen to be foraging. Even the roosters are more gentle than other breeds of rooster.

If you have small children or are just getting the family into backyard chickens, the Sussex is an excellent choice. Since they are so docile, small kids will be safe around them as they do not mind being pet or even picked up. They are also low maintenance and will not give you very much trouble keeping them healthy.

Their docile and non-aggressive nature is not without it’s drawbacks, unfortunately. Since they are so mellow, they often find themselves at the bottom of the pecking order. So, if they are paired with more aggressive birds, they will likely get picked on.

Foraging

Sussex Chickens LOVE to forage! They will spend all day in your backyard scratching around, eating any little bug, worms, grubs, and larvae they can find.

They are great at keeping annoying bugs under control, like ticks and other pests. If you have a garden, they will also help keep some of the more invasive bugs from destroying your crops. Just make sure they don’t get a taste of the crops too!

Eggs

Sussex Chickens are very reliable egg layers. They will lay anywhere between three and five eggs per week for you. Their eggs tend to be on the larger side and a light tan or tinted color.

Cold Hardy or Heat Hardy

These chickens are survivors. They are able to live in both hot and cold environments. If you live in a particularly warm climate, they will do fine as long as they have some sort of shade or shelter from the heat.

Those that live in colder climates will see them do just fine. So long as they have ready access to a warm, dry, well ventilated coop, nutritional feed, and clean water, you should see no ill effects during the Winter months.

What Is Their Purpose?

Introducing new chickens to your existing flock is often done for a specific reason. You may want a steady stream of farm fresh eggs. Perhaps, you may want to try out growing your own meat sources. You may just want your own little backyard buddy.

When a chicken has more than one viable market purpose, we call them dual purpose chickens. All that means is that they can be used for both egg production and/or as table birds.

Around here, we call them tri-purpose. Since they are so friendly, they can also be considered pets. Although we don’t really advocate that you eat your pet, so maybe they are still just dual purpose.

Pets

As we mentioned earlier, these chickens are incredibly docile, friendly, and curious. They have never met a stranger and love to be cuddled. Their easy going, mellow personality is a perfect fit for both new chicken farmers as well as seasoned veterans of the craft.

Eggs

The Sussex Chicken is a very productive egg layer. As we mentioned, they will reliably lay large, tinted or light brown eggs.

Your average hen will lay anywhere from 180 to 200 eggs a year. However, there are some hybrid strains that have reported up to 320 eggs in a year! That’s an egg almost every day of the week.

Meat

Sussex Chickens get pretty big. If you are raising and hatching your own chicks, you now have something to do with all of those roosters! In fact, during the time or World War II the Sussex and the Rhode Island Red were the primary meat birds in the United Kingdom.

The Sussex Rooster can get up to 9 lbs. That’s about 3/4 the size of your average Thanksgiving turkey. Even the hens are large enough for a decent meal too. If you retire them once they are no longer laying, a 7 lb hen can make a good stewing hen.

Since they grow so large and are quite the productive layers, Sussex Chickens make great dual purpose chickens.

Common Questions

We cam across some of these questions while researching for this article.

Are Sussex chickens good layers/Do Sussex chickens lay eggs/How many eggs does a Sussex chicken lay?

Yes. Sussex Chickens, when in good health, are reliable egg layers. You can expect anywhere from 200 to 320 eggs per year.

Do Sussex chickens go broody?

Yes. Typically, when the season turns warmer, some varieties of Sussex will go broody.

How big do Sussex chickens get?

Sussex are considered a large breed chicken. The hens can get up to 7 lbs while the roosters get all the way up to 9 lbs.

They can also be a Bantam breed with the hens weighing around 2.5 lbs and the roos around 3.3.

What age do Sussex chickens start laying?

Like most breeds of chickens, they will start laying between 18 and 20 weeks of age.

Are Sussex chickens aggressive?

Not at all. They are very friendly and docile. This is both a blessing and a curse as they are very often at the low end of a flock’s pecking order.

Are Sussex chickens noisy?

Not particularly. Due to their docile nature, the Sussex Chicken is relatively quiet.

How long do Sussex chickens live?

A healthy and well protected Sussex can live anywhere between 5 and 8 years.

Can Sussex chickens fly?

Most chickens are able to get off the ground for short spans. Sussex chickens tend to be on the heavier side of poultry and are not very prone to flying.

Are Sussex chickens cold hardy?

Absolutely! Their large size keeps them well insulated during the cold weather. They are very cold hardy.

What are Sussex chickens used for?

Sussex Chickens are what is known as a dual purpose chicken. That means they are able to be used as meat birds as well as for the high egg production.

Is Speckled Sussex rare?

The Standard size is not particularly rare. However, the Bantam Speckled Sussex is very rare.

Conclusion

If you’ve made it this far you know how great a bird the Sussex Chicken can be!

They are very productive layers. They can be excellent food sources. Or they make perfectly nice feathered companions.

If you want to start a flock or add some new chickens to your current one, you can’t go wrong with the Sussex Chicken.

For more on chickens

The Buckeye Chicken is a great chicken to add to your flock no matter what you’re looking for. They are big, productive, and some of the most docile and friendly chickens you can find!

If you want to add in a reliable layer that will give you large brown eggs, the Buckeye Chicken is perfect. They can also make great meat birds due to their large size.

This breed is especially cold hardy and great for any backyard flock! Let’s dig a little bit deeper and learn some more about this breed’s history, appearance, behavior, and more!

Everything About The Buckeye Chicken

Origin And History

The Buckeye Chicken is a purely American Breed of chicken. It was first developed around 1896 in Warren, Ohio by a homesteader named Nelly Metcalf. She tended the poultry for her family and wanted to have a breed that was large, productive, and could stand up to the cold Ohio winters.

After different attempts that were not to her liking, she eventually crossed Barred Plymouth Rocks, Buff Cochins, and some local black breasted red game birds. The result was what we now know as the only APA recognized breed created by a women; the Buckeye Chicken.

There is a bit of confusion behind the name of the chicken. It is often assumed the name comes from the state of origin. Ohio is known as the Buckeye State. However, this breed is also a deep mahogany color which is the same color as the seed from the Buckeye Plant.

The American Poultry Association officially recognized the Buckeye Chicken in 1904. They assigned their own “Standard of Perfection” meaning these chickens could be entered into various poultry competitions across the United States.

The breed has varied in popularity over the years. In the past it was confused with a Rhode Island Red, or dismissed as a strain of the Rhode Island Red. This passive attitude and fluctuation in public interest toward the breed led to a steep decline in the population.

Conservancy Efforts

Buckeye chickens were included in the Slow Foods USA Ark of taste list. The Ark of Taste is a list of heritage foods that are in danger of becoming extinct. Conservation groups have been working to improve the breed and, hopefully, have them removed from the list some day.

As it currently stands, there are around 5,000 breeding pairs in the United States and just 10,000 world wide.

If you want to become involved or are interested in adding some to your flock, there are some organizations dedicated specifically to the Buckeye Chicken. You can see if they have any information for you locally.

• American Buckeye Club
• American Buckeye Poultry Club

Appearance

As we mentioned earlier, the Buckeye Chicken is officially recognized by the APA and has a breed standard. If you want to show your chickens, they will have to conform to those guidelines explicitly.

However, if you are just interested in a production bird, a good layer, or just a nice chicken friend, you do not have to worry about the APA’s Standard of Perfection.

Color & Feathering

The Buckeye Chicken is a rather large breed. It has yellow skin, yellow legs, with four toes on each leg.

The feathering is a deep Mahogany color. It is said that the color of their feathers is the same color as the seeds of the Buckeye Plant. This is one of the theories behind the breed’s name.

In addition to being almost completely mahogany, they will also often have black tail feathers.

For the most part, the hens and the roosters look very similar. The roosters will generally have more feathering, with a bit more pizazz to their plumage. At times, their black tail feathers may even have a iridescent green sheen to them.

The hens are also mahogany with black tail feathers. Their feathering tends to be a bit less extravagant and more neat and trim. As with most chickens, the hens do not need the extra plumage to attract a mate. That is why the roosters look much flashier.

There is not a lot of variation in color for the Buckeye Chicken. It is believed that is one of the leading reasons it has gotten to close to extinction. Not enough color variety is a deterrence to those who want to show their chickens.

Size

There is quite a bit of size difference between the hens and roosters of the breed. As we mentioned, they are considered a large breed. Even the hens are large all the while being considerably smaller than the males.

A standard Buckeye Hen will weigh around 5.5 to 6.5 lbs fully grown. A Buckeye Rooster can get up to 9 lbs!

There are also Bantam Buckeye Chickens. As you may know, Bantam Chickens are much smaller than the standard breeds. For example, a Bantam Buckeye Rooster will probably weigh around the 4 or 5 lb mark with the hens weighing even less.

Comb and Wattles

The Buckeye Chicken has what is known as a pea-comb, just like the Easter Egger chicken. This is something that Nelly Metcalf specifically bred for so that her chickens would be extra cold hardy. The pea-comb is much smaller than most other combs and is much less susceptible to frost bite.

In addition to a red pea-comb, they also possess a much smaller set of red wattles than, say the Rhode Island Red. They also have a pair of bright red earlobes.

Miscellaneous

Like we said above, the Buckeye Chicken has been confused with the Rhode Island Red, or a strain of the Rhode Island Red. While they do look similar, they do have some pretty distinct differences you can use to tell them apart.

The first is their comb. Rhode Island Reds have a single ridge while the Buckeye has a pea-comb.

Buckeyes are also a bit more compact in their build. Finally, they have a slate colored bar across their backs that Rhode Island Reds do not.

One more note of interest; according to The Livestock Conservancy, Buckeye roosters will make all sorts of sounds beyond your typical Rooster crow. One of those sounds is said to be a “dinosaur-like roar”!

What Are They Like?

Don’t let the dino roar scare you off from adding some of these to your flock. They aren’t vicious at all. Let’s take a look at their personality traits, behavior and s few other characteristics.

Temperament & Personality

This is one of the friendliest breeds you will ever find. They make great backyard pets because of it, too. It is not unlike them to run right up to you anytime you go outside. They are that friendly!

Another point of their personality is Buckeyes are naturally very curious. It could be argued that the reason they appear to be so friendly is because they are just curious about people, in general. But you would think that curiosity would go away after a while and their friendliness does not seem to.

They work great with other chickens in the flock. This breed is known for not picking too hard on other birds in the flock. Specifically, they do not tend to pull out other chickens’ feathers.

Foraging

Part of the reason these chickens make great backyard chickens is because they are not only great foragers but they also thrive in the grass. You can actually supplement a decent portion of their feed with what they can find on their own foraging in your yard.

They are also quite good at hunting. If you have an older farm house and tend to get mice every now and again, these birds will seriously cut down on their frequency. Buckeye chickens will hunt down and eat any mice they can find!

Eggs

Buckeye Chickens are pretty reliable layers. You can expect to get 3 or 4 eggs from each of them per week. They also tend to lay medium to large sized, brown eggs.

Cold Hardy or Heat Hardy

Because they originated in Ohio, their ability to survive a harsh winter was very important. One of the key characteristics Nelly Metcalf was looking for was for her chickens to be extra cold hardy.

She succeeded. Not only do these birds do great in cold weather but they do not lose size or drop in their egg production with the changing weather. Part of how they are so cold hardy is due to their pea-comb. Single ridge, or other large comb birds, can suffer from frostbite or other issues when it gets too cold.

What Is Their Purpose?

Whenever you introduce new chickens to your existing flock you likely have an intended purpose; whether that purpose is as a pet, as a meat bird, or as a source for farm fresh eggs.

Generally, meat birds are meat birds and layers are just for eggs. The Buckeye Chicken is considered a dual purpose chicken. What that means is that you can use it for more than just one single purpose.

We often like to say some chickens can be tri-purpose. We know the demand for pet chickens has gone up in recent years so we like to point out when a breed is a good candidate for that, as well.

Pets

As we discussed earlier, the chickens are extremely friendly. They will come to greet you when you go outside. Once they realize you are also the source of food, they will get even friendlier. If you want a chicken that is willing to be picked up, carried around, pet, or even cuddled, these chickens are great for that.

Eggs

The Buckeye Chicken is a fairly productive egg layer. They will easily lay between 150 and 200 eggs a year (with some anecdotal reports of 175 – 250/year). That breaks down to around 3 or 4 eggs a week per chicken.

Meat

The Buckeye Chicken is a pretty good sized bird. The roosters can weigh up to 9 lbs. To put that in perspective, the average weight of a Thanksgiving Turkey is around 15 lbs.

Even the hens can be a decent stewing hen once they no longer lay. They get to be up to 6.5 lbs in size.

Both their size and egg production levels make the Buckeye Chicken a great dual purpose chicken.

Common Questions

Here are some answers to common questions about this unique breed.

Are Buckeye chickens friendly?

Yes. They act as if they never got the “be afraid of humans” gene. They are really friendly and genuinely enjoy the company of people.

What color eggs do Buckeye chickens lay?

Buckeye chickens lay brown eggs.

Do Buckeye chickens eat mice?

Buckeye chickens are interesting in that they will hunt and eat mice. That should save on your feed bill!

Conclusion

As you may already know, they Buckeye Chicken is perfect for just about any type of homestead purpose.

They make great meat birds. If you want a lot of eggs, they can provide those. Need a backyard pal? They’ve got you covered. Heck, they can even replace your barn cat!

Hopefully, you are thinking of adding some to your flock soon!

For more on chickens

Have you ever seen a Polish chicken before? With their friendly personalities, docile behavior, and crazy “hair style” they make a wonderful (and eye-catching) addition to any backyard flock!

The Polish Chicken is one of those breeds that you have to see to believe. They come in a wide variety of colors and sizes. But, most notably, they have a very large and impressive crest of feathers on the top of their head.

But the details of this unique and mysterious breed do not stop there. Let’s dive a little deeper into everything about the Polish chicken.

Everything About The Polish Chicken

As with any breed of chicken, it is easiest to understand them when you break their characteristics down into smaller segments. We have done this and made 4 categories; history and origin, what do they look like, what are they like (personality and temperament), and what are they used for (production, eggs, meat, etc).

Let’s start with their history, as it is pretty interesting.

History and Origin

To start things off, the Polish chicken may not actually even be Polish in its origin. How’s that for mysterious?

Obviously, when you hear the name, you assume that is where they come from. And, it is a working theory. However, there is very little documentation on the early days of these birds so it is not definitive.

Another working theory on their name is that it is derived from the Middle Dutch word pol which means “head”. This is likely a reference to their dome shaped head or the ornate appearance of their head feathering, or crest.

Two of the most popular beliefs surrounding their appearance in Eastern and Central Europe is that they were either brought to Poland by Asian Mongols or other immigrants brought them to either Spain or Italy in the 1500s.

We do have evidence that the breed is a very old breed. Chickens that look very similar are seen in some paintings from the 16th century. There are also several Dutch and Italian paintings ranging from the 16th to the 18th centuries featuring what are obviously Polish chickens.

Breed & Variety

Polish chickens come in both large fowl and bantam sizes.

Large fowl are what we would consider to be a normal or standard size chicken. Bantam breeds are bred specifically to be a much smaller size. They generally retain the same physical characteristics just in a smaller package. You may see them referred to as mini chickens.

Polish chickens, whether large fowl or bantams, come in a couple of different varieties. They can be bearded, non-bearded, or frizzle. Although, the American Poultry Association (APA), considers frizzle to be a trait and not a separate variety.

Recognition

The APA is on record stating they made their first appearance in the US sometime between 1830 and 1840 before being officially recognized by the APA in 1874. Subsequent variations of the breed were then recognized in 1883, 1938, and finally in 1963.

What Do They Look Like?

The first thing you will notice about Polish chickens are their magnificent crests.

Feathering, Comb, & Wattles

The Polish chicken is most famous for it’s wild hair-do. They look like a fun throwback to the 1970s disco era.

Unlike most chickens, the hens and the roosters both sport the same impressive head crests. The crest is made up of a large patch of feathers that grow straight up and then fall over due to their weight.

It is very impressive to look at but this unique level of style does not come without its own set of drawbacks. Mainly, it seriously impairs their vision, which should not at all be surprising.

Hidden underneath that large crest is a small set of white earlobes and some red wattles; although, the wattles are visible on the rooster. You are not likely to see either of them without picking them up and really searching. What is visible, however, is a small, red V-shaped comb just before their crest begins.

Polish chickens, like other breeds, use their comb and wattles to help them regulate their body temperature; similar to larger livestock and their horns. What happens is blood flows through their comb/wattles and, due to the thinner, looser skin, is warmed or cooled. It then runs throughout the rest of their body keeping them at a steady temperature.

Color

As we mentioned above, Polish chickens come in a couple of sizes, markings, and colors, as well as varieties. The APA officially recognizes the following:

	Large Fowl (bearded)	Large Fowl (non-bearded)	Bantam (bearded)	Bantam (non-bearded)
Black Crested	x	x	x	√
Buff Laced	√	√	√	√
Golden	√	√	√	√
Silver	√	√	√	√
White	√	√	√	√
White Crested Black	x	√	x	√
White Crested Blue	x	√	x	√

Additionally, Polish chickens can also come in several other colors and patterns that are not officially recognized yet. Some of those colors are:

• Black
• Blue
• Blue Laced
• Chamois
• Creole
• Gold Laced
• Red
• Silver Laced
• White Crested Cuckoo
• White Crested Red
• White Splash

Size

As we’ve mentioned, Polish chickens are both a large fowl and a bantam sized breed.

The large fowl chickens will range in height from around a foot, or 12 inches to 1 1/4 foot, or around 15 to 16 inches. The hens will usually grow to be 4 to 5 pounds. The roosters are a bit larger, usually weighing up to 6 pounds.

As we mentioned, bantams are considered mini chickens so they will be much smaller.

What Are They Like?

We split this into two categories; personality and temperament.

Personality

Polish chickens are a very docile breed. They are not overly timid and appreciate being around humans. Unlike most chickens, these birds could be considered friendly. Especially when raised as chicks, they will not mind too terribly much if you pick them up and carry them around.

They can be a little skittish when startled. Since they do have impaired vision due to their crests, they will startle a little easier than other breeds. But, if they see or hear you coming (with plenty of warning) they are less likely to run away.

Temperament

Due to their size and poor vision, they are typically pretty low on the pecking order when you have a flock with several different breeds of chicken.

This may play a role in why they are so docile. It is not in their best interest to be overly aggressive as most chickens outweigh them by a good amount.

Polish chickens are not cold hardy at all. This breed does much better in warmer climates than they do in colder areas. If you happen to live in a cold area you will want to make sure that they have a warm shelter.

If you plan to hatch Polish chicks you will likely need an incubator. Since the hens were bred as ornamental/show chickens and not for their egg production, they are not as inclined to go broody. That means, they will not sit on the eggs long enough for them to hatch.

What Is Their Purpose?

Some breeds of chickens are what we call dual purpose. That essentially means that they are used for both eggs and meat production. Since these chickens are so small, they do not make good candidates for meat birds.

However, they do have more than one single, egg laying function. In fact, laying eggs is a secondary function to why most people breed Polish chickens.

The primary reason people keep Polish birds?

Show

Originally, in France, Polish hens were known to be good egg producers. But, since they have such a unique appearance, that became the more desired feature.

Since then, many breeders, 4-H members, students, and backyard hobbyists, have raised these chickens specifically for the show ring. That is where terms like “APA recognized” come from. These are the chickens that qualify for chicken shows.

Eggs

Initially, Polish chickens in France were known to be prolific egg producers. But, since they are show chickens primarily, that trait has been bred out.

However, that does not mean they are bad egg layers. They typically will lay a medium to large sized egg, depending on the size of the hen. A healthy hen will also lay around 2 or 3 eggs a week or around 150 eggs a year.

Pets

A third reason people keep these chickens is as pets. You can keep two or three of them in your backyard. With their friendly personality they make good companions and are great conversation starters for gatherings.

What Care Do They Need?

As with any chicken, Polish chickens need a certain level of care from you. It is our responsibility, as farmers, breeders, and homesteaders, to make sure their dietary, living, and health needs are met.

Diet

Many chickens love to free range and forage on their own. If left to their own devices, they love nothing more than to peck and scratch in the grass and dirt for bugs, grubs, and anything else that looks tasty.

But, they also need consistency. It is best to make sure that they are getting all of their required nutrients. You can easily do this by making sure they have access to a high quality chicken feed.

Coop

All chickens need a safe enclosure over night. Chickens make a great late night snack for many predators out there. If they do not have a secure coop, they do not have much of a fighting chance against most things that will attack.

You will also want to make sure their coop is well ventilated and cleaned regularly. For Polish chickens, specifically, you will also want to make sure that their coop is warm enough for them to make it through winter.

For space, you want to make sure each chicken has around 2 or 3 square feet of space (ours do better with around 4 sq ft). If you have an enclosed run for them, they will need around 12 square feet of space each.

Polish Chicken Health Issues

Polish chickens do have a few unique health concerns. We’ve already mentioned that they do not have great eyesight due to their large feather crests. This makes them exceptionally vulnerable to predators.

Their crest is also a great place for lice and mites to live. You will need to check them regularly to make sure they are not infested with chicken pests.

Again, this issue centers around their head. Polish chickens have a dome shaped skull which is different than most breeds of chicken. When they hatch, their skull is not completely formed and they have a large soft spot.

This soft spot never completely closes up. If they are on the receiving end of any head trauma, like a peck with a beak, they can potentially suffer from brain damage.

What Breeds Are Some Similar Breeds?

If you can’t get enough of their unique look, there are a few other breeds that share similar crest qualities.

Houdan

Silkies

Sultan

Common Questions

Here are some of the most common questions we found while researching for this ultimate guide.

Are Polish chickens good pets?

Yes. They are quite friendly and docile. Their large crests do impair their vision which can cause them to startle easy. But, with adequate warning, there should be no problem keeping them calm.

How big do Polish chickens get?

Polish chickens are a smaller breed of bird. They usually atsand around 1 to 1 1/4 feet tall. The hens grow between 4 and 5 lbs while the roosters are slightly bigger at around 6 lbs.

What color eggs do Polish chickens lay?

Polish chickens lay medium to large sized white eggs.

Are Polish chickens aggressive?

Not particularly. Roosters in general can be aggressive when they feel threatened or territorial. But overall, Polish chickens are not aggressive.

Are Polish chickens noisy?

They are not really any noisier than any other breed of chicken. They tend to be pretty calm.

At what age do Polish chickens lay eggs?

They typically start laying after around 5 months of age.

How long do Polish chickens live?

Their lifespan is usually around 7 or 8 years.

Are Polish chickens considered Bantams?

Not exclusively. However, there are Bantam size Polish chickens.

Can you eat Polish chickens?

You can but they are not very big. They are an ornamental, or show, bird and not a dual purpose breed.

Are Polish chickens winter hardy?

Their feathering is not as suitable for cold climates as other breeds. They do not fare well in cold weather.

Conclusion

If you have read this far, you definitely understand what a fun and unique breed of chicken the Polish chicken is. They are fun to look at and make great backyard companions.

Consider adding a few to your flock or maybe build your own flock of just Polish chickens. Whether you want a pet, a moderate egg layer, or are thinking of trying out the chicken show circuit, these chickens are a great choice!

For more on chickens

You love your chickens and you want them to not only be healthy but you also want them to be happy. What better way to make them both than to give them tasty, healthy treats like cherries. But, can chickens eat cherries?

Chickens get the vast majority of their nutritional needs from the feed you give them and on a healthy dose of bugs and other things they can catch. But, I bet they sure would like a little more variety in their diet.

Let’s take a look at whether or not chickens can eat cherries.

Can Chickens Eat Cherries?

In short, yes. In fact, they like them A LOT!

Are Cherries Poisonous To Chickens?

Technically, yes, but practically, no. Let us explain.

There is a bit of fear out there that cherries can be poisonous because the pits contain small amounts of cyanide. While cyanide is obviously harmful, it is not a clear and present danger for your chickens.

It is the pit, and not the actual cherry, that contains cyanide. Your chicken would not only need to eat the pit and digest it, but they would need to eat a large quantity in order for the cyanide to have any effect.

This is not a huge danger because chickens will typically peck around the pit and only eat the flesh of the cherry. In instances where they do consume the pit, most often, they just pass it with no issues.

Are They Healthy For Chickens?

Yes, they most definitely are healthy. They contain a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are vital to a chicken’s health and wellbeing. Some of these nutrients, as well as their health benefits, include:

• Vitamin A: growth and reproduction
• Antioxidants: an abundance of benefits to fertility, in vivo, embryo development, postmortem meat, etc.
• Anthocyanins: anti-inflammatory as well as other pharmacological benefits
• Boron: bone and egg quality
• b-vitamin complex: metabolism & energy (Thiamine, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine, Cyanocobalamin)
• Calcium: bone and eggshell
• Choline: fat metabolism in the liver
• Vitamin E: neurological function
• Iron: anemia
• Vitamin K: helps with blood clotting and protects against coccidiosis
• Magnesium: prevents perosis
• Melatonin: “regulates feed consumption” and the “brain’s biological clock” plus and many other benefits
• Potassium: nerves and muscles

Can Baby Chicks Eat Cherries?

It won’t hurt them in small amounts but it’s not recommended.

Chicks are experiencing a period of rapid growth and need a fairly specific diet to meet their nutritional needs. It is better for them to stick to a good chick/starter feed until they reach adulthood.

Can Ducks Eat Cherries?

For the most part, poultry will have the same nutritional needs. There are some exceptions but in this case, yes, ducks can eat cherries.

Can Chickens Eat Cherry Tree Leaves?

Cherry tree leaves, like cherry pits, can also contain cyanide. This means that they can be harmful when consumed by livestock. That includes cows, goats, horses, and, yes, even chickens.

However, not all leaves are dangerous. If your animals are eating dried and dead leaves that have fallen to the ground, they will be perfectly fine. The same for is they eat healthy green leaves or even the bark of the cherry tree.

The times when the leaves can be toxic are when they are wilting and still hanging from the tree. Here’s an explanation as to why from Michigan State University:

“The toxic component in the leaves is prussic acid, a hydrogen cyanide toxin that is only formed when glycosides in the leaves are combined with hydrolytic enzymes. Under normal circumstances, the two components are stored in separate tissues, but can become poisonous in…wilted cherry leaves.”

Can Chickens Eat Cherry Blossoms?

Absolutely! The cherry blossoms, unlike the wilting leaves, pose no threat of poisoning to your chickens. The will likely, be drawn to their bright colors and other insects that also like the blossoms.

Can Chickens Eat Wild Cherries?

Yes. Wild cherries do not pose a health risk to your chickens.

Can Chickens Eat Sour Cherries?

Yes. Just like wild cherries, sour cherries are perfectly fine for chickens to eat. In fact, the only difference between the two are the amounts of Vitamin C and Vitamin A. Sour cherries have a slightly higher concentration.

How To Feed Your Chickens Cherries

There are a variety of ways that you can feed cherries to your chickens. Some of them are:

Dried

Probably the most worry free method of feeding cherries to your chickens is to give them to them dried. You don’t have to worry about them eating any pits or choking on a full sized cherry.

Pitted

Pitted cherries obviously remove the dangers around choking. You can do this by carefully slicing the cherry in half with a knife and removing the pit, by hand. They also sell devices called pitters that make this a little easier and less messy.

Whole

Chickens are completely capable of safely eating cherries without your help. Generally, they will just peck around the pit and just eat the cherry. So, if you want, you can just give them whole cherries.

From The Tree

Simpler yet, you can skip the part where you even pick the cherries. Build their run around a cherry tree and they will pick up all the excess cherries that fall on the ground.

Snack Blend (Chicken “Trail Mix”)

If you want to make a special treat for your chickens you can make a special chicken snack mix or “chicken trail mix”. To do this you give them even ratios of dried cherries, crushed oyster or egg shells, and dried meal worms.

Boredom Buster

If you want to not only give them a healthy snack but also a bit of entertainment, you can make a toy out of it. Just run a needle and thread or fishing line through the center of several cherries and make a whole string of them.

Then, hang the string somewhere your chickens can get to it and they will have a blast pecking at them while the cherry string swings around. It’s also pretty funny to watch and a form of entertainment for yourself.

Quick Tips For Chicken Treats

We get a lot of questions about the various types of things that chickens can and cannot eat. Here are some of our recommendations.

What Fruits Are Safe For Chickens?

We all just assume that fruits and veggies are always super healthy. For us, that is mostly true. We have larger bodies and different metabolic rates. For chickens, things work a bit differently.

Fruit has a lot of glucose, aka sugar. That isn’t inherently bad, it just means that they should only consume fruit in small amounts to avoid spiking their blood sugar and becoming hyperglycemic.

This can be a bigger problem with many dried fruits; cherries being one of the exceptions. Dried fruit has considerably less moisture so the sugar content is much more concentrated.

Too much sugar in these forms can cause digestive issues and even, in some cases, death.

Some fruits that are safe for your chicken to eat are:

– Apples (not the seeds)

– Bananas

– Cantaloupe

– Cherries

– Currants

– Peaches

– Pears

– Watermelon

Vegetables & Gourdes

Veggies do not have the same quantities of sugar as fruit. However, they still should be given in moderation.

Some safe vegetables for chickens are:

– Pumpkin

– Tomatoes (even though the are technically a fruit)

– Yellow Squash

– Zucchini

Berries

Chickens can’t get enough of berries. In fact, it’s always a race on whether we get to harvest our blackberries or if they do.

Seriously though, berries, like fruit, contain a large amount of fruit and should be given sparingly. If your chickens get to your blackberry bushes before you do, it’s not likely to be a problem split between the flock.

Some berries they can eat are:

– Blackberries

– Blueberries

– Mountain Ash Berries

– Mulberries

– Raspberries

– Rowan Berries

Berries chickens should NOT eat

Both elderberries and gooseberries can be deadly if your chickens eat them.

“What Can Chickens Not Eat?” List

Here are a few things your chickens should not eat.

• Acorns: acorns contain tannins. The tanic acid present in acorns and oak leaves can lead to vomiting, diarhea, and possibly death.
• Alcohol: no. just no.
• Apple seeds: the cyanide in them can be toxic to your chickens
• candy: the refined sugar in candy is even worse than the sugar content in dried fruit
• dry beans: contain phytohaemagglutinin which is toxic. You MUST cook all beans in order to be safely eaten by your chickens. Soaking is not enough.
• jam, jelly, or preserves: just like candy; too much sugar content
• pesticides: don’t give your chickens poison
• raw/green potato peels or skins: green potato skins contain solanin; a toxin. When consumed, it can be deadly for your chickens.
• tea bags: also contain tannins

For more on chickens