Frizzle
Also called Frizzled chickens, Frizzle Cochin, Frizzle Polish
"Frizzle" describes chickens with curled, outward-turning feathers, not a separate breed in the US. Frizzling shows up most often in Cochins and Polish, and laying, size and temperament depend on the underlying breed. Frizzled feathers insulate poorly against cold and wet.
Frizzle is a feather type, not a breed. The curled feathers can appear in many breeds, so eggs, size and temperament depend on the breed underneath.
Traits
- Cold hardylow
- Heat tolerantmedium
- Origin
- Unknown; possibly Asia (India)
- Bantam size
- Available
- APA standard
- Not recognized
- Purpose
- ornamental, pet
Good for
- ornamental flocks
- pets
Watch out for
- do not breed two frizzles together (frazzles)
- less protection from cold and wet; provide dry shelter
- often cannot fly; provide low roosts
Looks and feathers
Not a breed in the US: frizzling is a feather type (feathers curl outward/backward) caused by an incompletely dominant gene, and the APA recognizes it as a trait in any recognized breed/variety. Frizzle x frizzle matings give about 25% "frazzles" (brittle feathers, bare patches, enlarged heart); breed a frizzle to a smooth-feathered bird for ~50% frizzles. Some countries (e.g., UK, Australia) classify Frizzles as a breed. Egg output, size and temperament follow the underlying breed.
Our drawing shows the most common US variety; colours vary.
Similar breeds
All breedsSources
- 1Breed Spotlight: Frizzle, Frazzle, and Sizzle ChickensCackle Hatchery (blog)
- 2What are frizzles, sizzles and frazzles?My Pet Chicken
- 3Accepted Breeds & VarietiesAmerican Poultry Association
- 4Frizzle Fs Easter Egger Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile)Meyer Hatchery
- 5Frizzle Fs Mottled Cochin Bantam Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile)Meyer Hatchery
- 6Which chicken breeds may need extra heat in winter?My Pet Chicken
Hatcheries often disagree on eggs a year; ranges span every source we read. How we check the facts.