Frizzle Chickens: The New Zealand Keeper's Guide
~150 tinted eggs a year · Light-medium · the curly-feathered novelty
The Frizzle is defined by feathers that curl outward rather than lying flat, giving a permanently ruffled look. In New Zealand it is kept as an ornamental novelty and a gentle pet rather than a productive layer.
Eggs and laying
Around 150 tinted eggs a year, depending on the underlying breed, since frizzling is a feather type that appears across several breeds.
Temperament
Calm and friendly, easy to handle and good with children, much like the gentle breeds the frizzle feathering is often bred onto.
New Zealand climate fit
The curled feathers insulate poorly and shed water badly, so Frizzles feel cold and wet keenly and need a dry, sheltered coop. This is the main consideration in a New Zealand winter.
Care notes
Need dry, draught-free housing because the plumage gives little weather protection. Handle gently, as the curled feathers are more easily damaged than normal feathering.
More breeds
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Frizzle a breed?
Not exactly. Frizzling is a feather type, the curled plumage, that is bred onto various breeds. So a Frizzle is usually a frizzle-feathered version of another breed such as a Pekin.
Do Frizzles handle cold and wet?
Poorly. The curled feathers insulate and shed water badly, so they need a dry, sheltered coop and feel a wet New Zealand winter more than smooth-feathered birds.
Are Frizzles good pets?
Yes, they are generally calm and friendly, kept as gentle ornamental pets. Just handle them carefully, as the curled feathers damage more easily.