Polverara

Polverara is an old Italian breed of domestic chicken from Polverara, near Padua in the Veneto. Also known historically as Schiatta, it is a light, active farm bird with a small crest and a horn-like or split comb, a combination that separates it from the larger and more heavily crested Padovana. Traditional lines are best known in black and white, with close feathering and a lively foraging habit. The breed was kept for household eggs and fine table meat, and it now survives mainly as a rare regional heritage chicken.

In a small flock, Polverara chickens do best with room to range, secure night housing, and dry shelter that keeps the crest clean. They are agile birds and may perch high or test low fencing, so covered runs are useful where predators are common. Breeding stock is limited; buyers should look for birds from conservation-minded flocks and avoid selecting for overlarge crests that impair sight. Hens are moderate layers rather than commercial producers, but the breed appeals to keepers who want a hardy Venetian utility chicken with a distinct historical type.

Colors: Barred, Birchen, Black, Blue, Brown, Buff, Columbian, Crele, Cuckoo, Duckwing, Gold, Gold Laced, Laced, Lavender, Mille Fleur, Mottled, Partridge, Penciled, Porcelain, Red, Silver, Silver Laced, Spangled, Splash, Wheaten, White