THE FRIZZLE

Frizzled feathered fowl have been around for many years. As far back as 1527 frizzled fowl were described in publication by authors studying natural history.It is thought they originated in Asia. The main feature of the frizzle is the different construction and shape of the feathers. All the feathers curl back and up towards the head of the bird. Breeding the frizzle bird for good feather type is done by occasionally using a flat coat frizzle. The feathering can get over frizzled which produces narrow over curly feathers if the flat coat isn’t included every third generation. Here is a description of the breeding pattern and outcome: FF = Frizzle ff = flat coat Breed FF x FF outcome is 100% frizzle. Breed FF x ff = Ff frizzles outcome is 100% frizzle. Breed Ff x ff 75% frizzle, 25% flat coat. the outcome is as follows (25% FF, 50% Ff) 25% ff. 75% of chicks look like frizzles, 2 out of the 3 would theoretically be carrying the normal gene for feathering Frizzle. Breeders keep normal feathered fowl to breed to their frizzles and so produce both. Many breeds have been frizzled this way but in the UK there is an actual breed of Frizzle. I often wonder what type/breed was actual used in the first place to produce ‘The Frizzle Breed’. The Frizzled bird with all it’s curly feathers is actually as hardy as a none frizzled bird of the same breed. Sexing chicks with frizzled feathers by feather shape is more difficult, the difference between the pointed cockerel feathers and the round hen feathers don’t show so easily. The Standard for the British Frizzle breed is as follows Heavy breed, which lays white to tinted eggs. It is purely an exhibition bird and more popular in bantam than in the large fowl. Body shape: Broad and short with a full rounded breast. Head Fine with a short beak, single comb. Legs: Medium length, with 4 toes. Weight: Rooster 8lb Hen 6lb Colours: Black, Blue, Buff, White, Columbian, Spangled. Written By Fowler

Frizzle Roo pic belongs to Phyl