Poltavian Clay Hen

A Poltavian Clay rooster
Photo courtesy of Oleg Oliinyk & Mihail Voronianskiy

This ancient Ukrainian breed is a dual purpose bird from the area near the city of Poltava. In the late 1920s, Poltavian Clay hens were producing around 100 eggs per year. The chicks are fast growing and start laying around 150 days.

The plumage can range from light to dark Buff, with black tail feathers and some primaries tipped with black. Some individuals show a light Columbian pattern on the neck. The comb looks to be a large cushion comb, although single combs are allowed and do appear in the breed.

Roosters weigh in around 3.2 kg and hens around 2.2 kg.