Is it possible have light frizzle or 1 that is only somewhat frizzled?

[Pullet Pimp]

I'll start by saying that I know nothing about genetics and breeding, but I have been reading and learning. I have found nothing on this question using the search (even the new Google one

).

I remembered a post on here a while back of someones bird that was only half frizzled. I mean it looked like someone took a frizzle and a non-frizzle and split them lengthwise and put the two different halves together. That was one neat looking bird. I digress. Now on to my question...

I've been looking and searching frizzles and like the looks of a frizzled bird. However, I have a RIR that is "scruffy" looking but doesn't look quite "frizzled". She is healthy and I have looked her over for any signs of disease or problems but that is just the way she has been since she was little.

So I guess my question is this. Can you get a bird that is only slightly frizzled and the feathers don't curl as much as a "full" frizzle? If so and you have some that look like that could you post a pic of them?

I'll show you what I got in my RIR

Here is the scruffy looking one or Frizzle wanna be. She is not fluffing up even though it looks like it she is this way all the time. Not quite frizzled but she always looks like she is having a bad feather day.

 

[jossanne]

She's cute! I don't have a clue, but I'll bump you up in hopes that we can both get the answer to this question.

 

[klf73]

I was told that it was "loose feathering" and is not a good trait

. I had a bird that was similar. I didn't research it much after that as I was told it was not a good idea to use in a breeding program. Good luck getting info

 

[Pullet Pimp]

The term is loose feathering huh. I don't breed so that is not a problem for me, I just haven't seen photos that look like her. She is attractive to me and I think some frizzles are too frizzled. Would be nice see some with just a bit less curl to them JMO.

I searched for loose feathering and haven't found anything yet but I'll keep looking.

Any downsides to this trait, other than it is not *desired* by some?

 

[Fudgie]

Check this site for one similar to yours
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=1299417#p1299417

So you don't really care for miss bouffant below then! LOL

 

[Black Feather]

I've seen birds do what your hens feathers do. It's almost like they have a bit of 'curl' to them. I have the odd Rosecomb that does the same thing. What I find is once you give them a bath their feathers lay flat and look normal again. Over time though they go back to looking a bit curled. I don't know if the bird does not take proper care of it's feathers, or if it's genetic. If you're really curious give her a bath and see what her feathers look like once she's dry.

Urban Coyote

 

[klf73]

Quote:
LOL , maybe it was just a term the breeder came up with

. I wouldn't think it would be any different than a frizzle as far as downside, maybe have a harder time keeping warm since the feathers don't lay down, not sure. Maybe there is a frizzle gene in there and that is how that gene shows in that breed, I have never seen a frizzled RIR. Maybe one of the genetics gurus could jump in. I never really researched it like I said because she said she was trying to "breed out the trait"

JMajors- looks like you have a cute frizzle and sizzle(I see a fifth toe and black skin). Does the sizzle have a single comb or a walnut comb? I only had 1 sizzle that was completely correct as far as toe count, skin color, comb type, etc. and of course it was a roo so he got rehomed

 

[Teresaann24]

I have a little sizzle boy who has some light frizzle. He just looks like he is having a bad hair day everyday. Most of his feathering turns upward but he isn't as much fizzled as some I have seen on here. I need new pics of him cause he is a very odd color. He looks partidge but when you pick him up his under feathers and leg and bum feathers and Blue..LOL

 

[Pullet Pimp]

JMajors-Thanks for the link to that thread that hen does look like the one I have. As for your two cuties I do like them and I meant no disrespect to Miss Bouffant I'm sure she will turn out to be one beautiful bird (once she gets out of the awkward stage of not being a cute fuzz butt and not quite a mature hen). Frizzles and Polish are some of my two favorites and plan on getting some in the spring. Someone posted a pic of their buff laced polish frizzle and that was one of the prettiest bird's I've seen yet. Some silkies have been catching my eye lately but I hear they are evil and since I live in the middle of nowhere I'm afraid no one will hear my screams

. What I meant about the frizzles was I've seen some frizzles that were to the extreme of frizzleness and they just looked weird.

Urban Coyote-I dont think I would even want to attempt to give a chicken a bath until it warms up a bit. I might try it next summer though, would be interesting to see what happens. Might use warm water and see if she would shrink and curl more.

klf73-loose feathering works for me even if it was made up. Seems to describe the situation going on here. I too would like to hear from the genetic gurus here about the frizzle gene and what variations of it there are if any.