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It's easy to recognize a Polish chicken – the hen sports a neat and tidy 'pom-pom' hairdo. In contrast, the roosters have a 'wild thing' appearance, with feathers that suggest a 'bad hair day'! The head feathers of both sexes grow upwards and then fall over their heads and faces, which can sometimes obstruct their vision. A bony prominence from the skull supports the head crest. Depending on the variety, Polish chickens may also have beards, resulting in an abundance of feathers around their head and face. The rooster boasts a distinctive red V-shaped comb, often hidden within the head feathers. Their earlobes are white, while their wattles are a vibrant red.

Silver Appleyards may resemble Mallard ducks, yet distinct features differentiate them. Here's a guide to identifying this unique breed:

Large Silver Appleyard Ducks

These ducks have a robust, compact build with a posture that's slightly upright, though not as pronounced as Indian Runner ducks.

Silver Appleyard Drakes

The males sport a bill that's greenish or yellow with a black tip, brown eyes, and a head and neck that are greenish-black with silver shading, which intensifies with age.

Their chest, sides, shoulders, and flanks exhibit a reddish-chestnut hue with white frosting and lacing, and their underbody is a creamy or silvery-white.

Additionally, they have gray and white wings adorned with a striking blue cross-stripe, a blackish bronze tail, and orange legs and feet.

While they may be confused with Mallards, Appleyard ducks are set apart by two dominant genes that are light recessive, giving them a lighter pigment on their body and face, as well as a distinctive silver shading on their head, neck, and other body parts.