A magnificently plumed Silver Laced Polish Chicken has scooped the Most Loved vote
This week on AnOther Loves, the most voted for Love was Tasha Meradji’s Silver Laced Polish Chicken. Primarily bred as show birds, Polish chickens – actually originating from the Netherlands – are known for their extraordinary crested head of feathers and interesting coloured plumage. In the case of the Silver Laced Polish chicken: white with black lacing. A rather unusual Love of the week, chickens have actually become an increasingly popular pet, kept in numerous urban gardens as well as on farms. Once a rural necessity for poor families, they are now the latest trend accessory for middle classes and even celebrities – Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts and Martha Stewart are all rumoured to own chickens. One of the fastest growing pastimes, as many as half a million homes in Britain alone are estimated to have their own fresh supply of eggs. The Prince of Wales has a 17 foot-high chicken house with a tower modeled on a Saxon steeple, and numerous companies now sell minimalist designer coops. With the increasing desirability for organic foods and the health risks over factory farming, genetic modification, salmonella and even bird flu, do-it-yourself egg production has never been so popular. Here we discussed Meradji’s most-bizarre AnOther Love:
Why did you choose to Love it?
I’ve never seen anything like and didn’t think a chicken could get anymore exotic beyond the pen so I wanted to share my unique bird find.
Do you have any pets or are there any other animals you wish to own?
I own three blue British Shorthair cats but I would love a dog just like Boo.
What are your views on the latest trend in urban chicken keeping?
I read that you can raise a chicken indoors at home so long as it wears a diaper – the thought of a chicken running around my house with a nappy on doesn’t really take my fancy. From a health perspective, I can see the positives for some people who prefer to know where there food comes from however, for me the maintenance of a chicken is best left to farmers.
Are you concerned as to whether the eggs you eat are organic or not?
I only buy organic eggs – battery eggs are wrong and sound a bit too mechanical for my breakfast.
What was the last thing you bought?
Swarovski covered false lashes and bright orange nail polish both from Illamasqua.
What is your dream purchase?
My dream purchase would be something I find quite un-attainable and, as ironic as this seems, I would love to grab my hands on a Fabergé egg. Otherwise anything from the jewellers Mawi would go down a treat.
