Frizzle (chicken plumage)

Not to be confused with the pure breed of chicken by this name, for which see Frizzle chicken (breed).

A frizzle refers to a plumage pattern in domesticated chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) characterized by feathers that curl outwards, rather than lying flat as in most chickens. The frizzle type is not a separate breed, but a variety within breeds. Though all breeds of chickens may be frizzled; it is most commonly seen in breeds such as the Cochin, Pekin, and Polish.^[1] Chickens with this pattern are sometimes referred to as frizzles. The gene which causes the frizzles' peculiar feathering is an incomplete dominant trait.^[1]

A Frizzle White Pekin

Common Breeds

Almost all breeds can be frizzled, but the most common are listed below:^[2]

• Cochin
• Polish
• Silkie (Commonly referred to as "Sizzle")
• Plymouth Rock
• Buff Orpington

Bantam Breeds:

• Japanese Bantams
• Pekin

Genetics

Research suggests that the frizzled phenotype comes from a mutation within the keratin gene KRT75. A deletion that removed part of exon 5 and intron 5 ameliorated the splice site. This caused a 69 base pair deletion of the KRT75 gene.^[3]

Uses

As a result of its unusual look, frizzles are primarily used as exhibition birds, and are included in most English language poultry standards.

There is a pure breed of chicken with this feature, known as the Frizzle breed.^[4]

See also

• Frizzle (chicken breed), a specific breed with this feature