Satins, Sizzles, Frizzles????

 There's still a lot of confusion about the breed called "Satins " Formerly called Sizzles, and still not an APA accepted breed, the breed is still considered a project breed. 

Here's an explanation from Sheri Minkner, one of the original breeders of Satins/Sizzles for over 25 years:

*********************

I understand that there is a lot of confusion about frizzle, Sizzle, Satin, Silkie, etc., so I'm not being critical & only want to try & straighten out a few things.

First, "frizzle" is a breed in other countries but in the US it is only a feather type and the word "frizzle" must be followed by the breed. So we have frizzled Cochins, frizzled Polish, etc.

Second, Satins & Silkies are 2 separate breeds, & both come in regular & frizzled varieties so there are Silkies & frizzled Silkies and also Satins & frizzled Satins. There is NO SUCH THING as a Silkie Satin or a Satin Silkie!

Third - Satins are still a project breed & have not yet been accepted by the poultry associations as a new breed. However, many of us are working toward that goal.

Fourth - It takes AT LEAST 10 generations of dedicated & knowledgeable breeding before a Satin is exhibiting all the required traits & is breeding true enough to actually be called a Satin. Just because you bred your Silkie to another breed it DOES NOT mean you created a Satin.

Fifth - Sizzle is the former name for Satins. They were bred & shown as "Sizzles" for years, but the name was not acceptable to the poultry associations so it has now been changed to Satins.

Sixth - The difference between frizzled Silkies & frizzled Satins is feather type. Frizzled Silkies have the same fur-like (barbless) feathers as regular Silkies but the feathers are curled backwards toward the head. Satins have regular (barbed) feathers like a Cochin, & with frizzled Satins the feathers are also curled backwards toward the head.

Pictures below show both breeds in both regular & frizzled feather types. If you click on it to enlarge it, you should be able to see the differences in the feathering.  Please feel free to use this picture to explain the differences between Silkies & Satins.

Frizzle Satin AKA Sizzle

I just love this little cockerel 😄
King Harry..we had fun raising so many chicks this year, but there's always a few that stand out. Harry was hatched from Sheri Minkner, he's about 6-7 months old now. After asking Sheri what pen he came from, she said he's a blue based blue cream. I've had him available a few times for a new home only because I really didn't know what color girls I'd put him with. I'm glad there were no takers! I may put him with a blue girl, or self blue blue cream for fun and see what hatches, but he's got the best temperament ever. He's been my chick babysitter several times, and gladly feeds them and watches over them, and he's good to the pullets. I've raised several Silkie and satin boys this year and the majority became little jerks by 5 months lol.
But not Harry. And he definitely knows his name!
Even though Satins/Sizzles are not an accepted variety yet, I'd love to show him..everyone that sees him thinks he's the cutest thing!
I know some Silkie breeders are totally against Satins being accepted as a variety of Silkie, but I hope they are one day. If bred to the silke SOP, they truly are identical to silkies except for the hard feathers. They're adorable.
Hopefully, I'll have some little Harry's available next year!