Everyone loves a yard sprinkled with different colors and breeds of chickens. Well, at least people who love chickens do! Chickens come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors, and each is fascinating in its own unique way.
But few are as charming and eye-catching as the Frizzle chicken breed. With their flipped-up feathers and sweet personality, Frizzles have captivated chicken lovers around the world. My own little Tinkerbell is a fan favorite! She’s itty bitty, but her personality is larger than life and she’s been an incredible addition to our backyard crew.
If you’ve ever seen a chicken with curly, frizzy feathers, you may have wondered – what is a frizzle chicken? Frizzle chickens are a variety of chicken that have feathers that curl outwards rather than lying flat. Their unique appearance sets them apart from other chickens. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about frizzle chickens – from what causes the frizzling to how to care for these special birds.
What Causes the Frizzling?
A dominant gene that changes the structure of feathers is what makes them frizz. Because of this gene, the feather shaft is changed, and the feathers curl outward instead of lying flat against the body. A chicken with one copy of the frizzle gene will have feathers that are only partly frizzled. If a chicken has two copies of the gene, its feathers will be very tightly curled.
Frizzling can occur in any breed of chicken – it’s not limited to a specific breed. You can find frizzle Cochin, frizzle Polish, and many other frizzle varieties. The gene can be bred into any chicken breed.
Origins of Frizzle Chickens
While the exact origins are unknown, the frizzle gene is believed to have originated in Asia. Writings from the 1700s describe frizzle chickens being found in the Far East. The trait appeared in Europe sometime later.
In some places, like Australia and some parts of Europe, frizzles are seen as a separate breed. In the US, however, they are more like a variety. Here, they are shown with their parent breed and judged by the rules of that breed.
What Do Frizzles Look Like?
As the name suggests, frizzles are most easily identified by their signature curly feathers. The feathers stand out from the body rather than lying smoothly. The degree of curling can vary:
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Slightly frizzled – the feathers have a gentle curl to them. The frizzling is subtle.
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Moderately frizzled means that the feathers stand out from the body and have a clear curl.
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Extremely frizzled – the feathers are so tightly curled that the plumage resembles fur.
In severely frizzled chickens the feathers may not provide sufficient insulation and protection. Extreme frizzling is also associated with health problems. Breeders aim for a moderate degree of curling.
Frizzles have a single comb and are clean-legged, meaning there are no feathers on the lower legs and feet. They come in a wide range of colors – black, blue, cuckoo, white, buff, and many more.
What is a Sizzle Chicken?
A sizzle chicken combines frizzling feathers with the genetics of a Silkie chicken. Sizzles have the fur-like plumage of a Silkie combined with the stand-out curl of frizzle feathers. They are the result of breeding a frizzle rooster with a Silkie hen.
Sizzle chickens have become quite popular thanks to their eye-catching appearance. They exhibit the calm, friendly personality that Silkies are known for and make great backyard pets.
Caring for Frizzles
Weather Considerations
While their plumage may make them look equipped for cold weather, frizzles are actually a bit more vulnerable to chillier temperatures. The spaces between their feathers allow more cold air to penetrate to the skin.
They are also more prone to becoming wet in rain or snow, which can quickly lead to hypothermia. Provide extra bedding and protection from drafts in cold weather. Keep a close eye on them and be ready to bring them inside if needed.
Trimming Face Feathers
Some frizzles can have so much feathering on their heads and around their eyes that it impairs their vision. Trim these feathers regularly so they can see potential dangers clearly. Limited vision from excessive face feathers causes stress in chickens.
Clean Coops
The frizzles’ cute curls also catch dirt easily. Clean the coop often so that dust and dander don’t build up in their feathers.
With some small adjustments, frizzles can thrive. Their entertaining antics and unique style make them a wonderful addition to any backyard flock.
Avoiding Frazzles
Frazzles occur when two frizzle chickens are bred together. They have extremely tight, fragile curls that fall out easily. Frazzles also suffer health problems related to their genetics.
Reputable breeders avoid breeding two frizzles together to prevent frazzles from being hatched. Instead, they breed frizzles with non-frizzled chickens. This results in some frizzle and some non-frizzle chicks, with no frazzles.
Frizzles Make Great Pets
Frizzle chickens have much to offer:
- Entertaining, eye-catching appearance
- Lay eggs reliably
- Go broody frequently and make good mothers
- Active foragers and hardy birds
They do require some extra precautions, but overall frizzles make excellent backyard chickens. Their curls give them big personalities to match their unique style. If you’re looking for a pet chicken that will stand out from the flock, a frizzle can be a delightful addition to your coop!
What Does a Frizzle Chicken Look Like?
It’s pretty hard to miss a Frizzle in the flock. Their curled feathers give them a puffball appearance that looks like they’ve just stepped out of a wind tunnel, in the cutest way possible. Their feathers don’t keep them as warm because they can’t lie flat, so they need a little extra care when it’s cold outside.
Frizzles are often shown in poultry shows because of how beautiful they are. But they’re not just for looks; they’re sweet, curious, and usually very friendly with people.
How Many Eggs Do Frizzle Chickens Lay?
If you’re wondering, “Do Frizzle chickens lay eggs?”—they absolutely do! Just don’t expect them to be your top producers.
Frizzles are a feather type and not a breed that is meant to lay eggs. How many eggs they lay depends on what breed they are crossed with. On average, you can expect:
- 150 to 180 eggs per year
- Small to medium-sized eggs
- Cream or tinted shell colors
They’re more of a companion or show bird, but those eggs are still a nice bonus!
Frizzle Chicken Breed Profile, Care Guide and More…
FAQ
What makes a frizzle chicken?
A frizzle chicken is characterized by its unique, curly feathers caused by a specific gene. This gene, which is incompletely dominant, causes the feathers to curl outwards instead of lying flat against the body.
Why can’t you breed two frizzle chickens?
The frizzling are the result of a dominant autosomal gene, mating frizzle to frizzle is not a good idea as you’ll end up with 25% frazzle, a condition caused by the presence of 2 dose of F in one bird.
Is a frizzle chicken a Silkie?
Actually, this is a breed that is in the process of being established. It has full Silkie characteristics except that its feathers are hard and curly, not soft, silky, and fluffy. Sizzles have a crest like Silkies and five toes and they are what we can call the Frizzle Silkie chicken.
How to tell if a chick is a frizzle?
To determine if a chick is a Frizzle, focus on the feathering, especially the wing feathers. Frizzle chicks have feathers that curl outwards, away from the body, rather than lying flat.
What makes a Frizzle chicken unique?
Generally speaking, frizzle chickens stand out due to their distinctive curly feathers, an obvious deviation from the flat plumage commonly seen. This heavy breed also boasts several unique physical attributes, including a single comb, clean legs, and yellow feet with dark shading.
Why do Frizzle chickens curl?
While the feathers are growing, their shaft starts to curl outward, thus resulting in an unusual appearance and irresistible to look at. Therefore, frizzle-feathers chickens or chickens that possess genes that cause their feathers to curl are called frizzle chickens.
What does a Frizzle chicken look like?
This type of cat has one straight comb, red eyes, a short, wide body, yellow legs, big tails, and feathers that curl up or out. Some chickens look curly yet tidy, while others look wild and messy. All of the feathers look soft and never spiky. Frizzles are available in many breeds and in standard and bantam sizes.