When a chicken is frizzled, that means its feathers curve out away from the body. This is caused by a genetic mutation. Any breed can be frizzled, but we only have two frizzled cochin. It's very rare because it's a recessive gene--that means, that it can be passed on, but most likely, it won't. Frizzle hens and frizzle roosters cannot reproduce with each other. If they do, their babies will die. But, a frizzle and a smooth can reproduce easily without problems. Only about 10% of the babies will be frizzled from this pair. This is Fluffers. He is an example of a smooth-feathered cochin. Goldie is a smooth cochin, as well. Grey Boy is, yet again, a smooth cochin. Liberace is Fluffer's brother. But, he is a frizzled cochin. Oswald is another frizzled cochin. It's very easy to see on him how curved the feathers are. Being a frizzle doesn't really effect their life, but mostly just their appearance. Their feathers aren't as waterproof as smooth chickens. And, they are more likely to get a sunburn because the feathers curl up and show some of their skin. Though, they typically don't get burned, but they can.
We haven't had any frizzled babies, yet. But, maybe one day we will.
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Just two brothers
Nanners & Mashers are brothers who just want to share their birds with the world. Archives
April 2016
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