Polish chicken farming is popular in the areas where this breed of domestic chicken is available. The breed is very popular because it is a very beautiful crested bird and it is among the most ornamental of all poultry breeds.
The Polish chickens are raised mainly as an ornamental bird or for exhibition purpose. The breed is very popular and it is known for it’s wild top hat of feathers. It is also known by some other names such as Paduan or Poland.
Although the breed is known as Poland, but it is actually not from Poland. Exact origin of the Polish chicken breed is unknown, but it is an European breed. The breed derived it’s name from the resemblance to the square, spreading crests on the feathered caps historically worn by the Polish soldiers.
The Polish chicken breed was very popular and favored by the American farmers and chicken fanciers during a certain period of time. These birds are believed to have arrived in the United States between 1830 and 1840.
The Polish chicken is actually a very old breed, and it was known in England during the 1700s. American Poultry Association accepted 3 Polish varieties into their Standard of Perfection in 1874, and additional varieties were accepted later.
Currently, the Polish chicken is raised mainly as an ornamental bird and occasionally used for exhibition purpose. The breed is currently listed in the watch category of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy’s Conservation Priority list.
However, commercial Polish chicken farming can be a very good and profitable business if you can easily sell ornamental or exhibition birds in your area. The exhibition or ornamental birds are generally sold at a very high price in the market.
So you will probably be able to make good profit from commercial Polish chicken farming business if you can market the birds well.
How to Start Polish Chicken Farming
The Polish chickens are just like many other domestic chicken breeds. And starting Polish chicken farming business is like starting a chicken farming business with any other domestic chicken breeds.
Here we are trying to describe more information about starting and operating a successful Polish chicken farming business from purchasing birds to caring and marketing.
Purchase Chickens
First of all, you have to purchase very good quality, healthy and disease free birds for starting your Polish chicken farming business. Healthy and active birds are the key to successful business and maximum production.
You can purchase either day old chicks or mature birds depending on the price and availability in your area. The mature Polish chickens are generally sold at very high prices in the market. On the other hand the day old chicks are much cheaper. So we recommend starting with day old chicks.
You can purchase the chicks from any of your nearest poultry chick suppliers, chicken breeding centers or any existing Polish chicken farms. You can also search your local online classified websites. Just ensure that the chicks are strong and active enough.
Housing
Good housing system is very important for Polish chicken farming business. Because a good house not only helps the birds to stay healthy, but also helps them to stay free from all types of predators and adverse weather conditions.
So try to make a good, comfortable and secure housing system for your birds. Install good ventilation system and ensure flow of sufficient amount of fresh air and light inside the house. And also ensure flow of sufficient amount of fresh air and light inside the house.
Make the house in such a way so that you can easily clean the house. The Polish chickens are classed as a large breed, so each mature bird will require around or up to 5 square feet of housing space.
Feeding
Feeding the birds with very good quality, healthy and nutritious food is the most important part of Polish chicken farming business. Because good food not only keeps the birds healthy but also helps them to grow well and produce more.
You can feed your chickens either with ready-made/commercial poultry feeds, or you can prepare the feeds of your own. Just ensure that the feeds are good and nutritious for your birds.
Never feed your chickens with contaminated feeds. And always try to provide them with enough clean and fresh drinking water as per their demand.
The Polish chickens are good for raising in both confined and free range system. But raising them in free range system will help you to reduce feeding costs. And at the same time it will improve the quality of the products.
Breeding
The Polish chickens are naturally very good breeders, just like many other domestic chicken breeds. They will breed easily and produce fertile eggs for hatching if you keep good ratio of hens and roosters in your flock. Generally one healthy rooster is enough for breeding around or up to 10 hens.
Caring
As the Polish chickens are ornamental birds, so they require special caring. Their crests tend to obscure their vision, which makes them more prone to aerial predators.
And if the crest gets wet and dirty, it can hang directly in it’s eyes (which may lead to eye infections and the inability to locate drink and food). So special care must be taken for keeping them clean.
Monitor your bird’s health on a regular basis, and take necessary steps if you notice anything uncommon. Vaccinate them timely and always try to keep good contact with a vet in your area.
Marketing
Marketing ornamental or show/exhibition birds can be difficult. Because demand of these birds is not same in all areas. So you have to determine your marketing strategies before starting this business.
These are the common steps and ways for starting and operating a successful Polish chicken farming business. Hope this guide has helped you! Good luck & may God bless you!
