History

Frizzles are one of our odd breeds, and little is know about their origin.  Charles Darwin classes them as Frizzled or Caffie Fowls, not uncommon in India.  Frizzles reportedly originated from Southern Asia, the Philippines and Java around 300 years ago, although examples were actually documented in Europe in 1676.  However these only had frizzled wings and neck hackles.  The popularity of Bantams has increased tremendously. Bantams are known as the flower garden of the poultry world with their many different types and unlimited assortment of colours and colour patterns. Many are miniature of large poultry while others are a type and colour not seen in large chickens.  Bantams were formerly known strictly as a fancier's delight, for pleasure and pets, but they are now proving their commercial value and are adaptable as a backyard flock.

The frizzle breed is very popular for exhibition, usually in the bantam form. The large fowl was virtually extinct until a handful of enthusiasts recently started a breeding program to revive it.  Each feather is moderately long and curls backwards towards the bird's head. The individual feathers have a rather ragged appearance and the neck has abundant frizzled feathers. Frizzles are erect birds with short, broad bodies and a rounded full breast. They have long wings and large upright tails and their legs are free from feathers.

Behaviour

They are hardy birds which grow quickly. The chicks appear to be normally feathered when they are hatched but the wing feathers soon start to grow and turn outwards. They are gentle birds and are good layers who sit particularly well. They are classed as a heavy breed and are often considered to be purely for exhibition but make good table birds and are perfectly well suited to either indoor or free range or outdoor pens.

There are three types of plumage - frizzled, over frizzled and flat-coated.  However frizzled plumage is only desired in exhibition birds.