Leg / Shank Color

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

Not sure where this discussion would go, but this seemed to be the best place?

I'm having difficulty finding the info I'm wanting, so thought I'd ask for those who know.

Leg/shank color. Is it always Slate, Willow, Yellow, and White? Are there other colors?
And how do those genetics work? (*simplified please for those new to this, but in-depth welcome)

I'd like to learn more about this stuff both just because of curiosity, and for future chicks.

I didn't realize until recently that since my only cockerel has slate shanks, I should be able to hatch out some sex-links with leg color
(My pullets have slate, white, and yellow shanks. But, I know who lays which eggs. So I can select which eggs to incubate.)

If I have a first gen cross, will the slate shank sex-link stop working?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Check out this thread. It may help you.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/leg-colour-dominant-recessive.1432437/

If I have a first gen cross, will the slate shank sex-link stop working?

For genetic sex linking to work both parents have to be set up a specific way. Mother and father have different genetics. Once they cross to make a sex link, the genetics are no longer set up to make a sex link. So yes, genetic sex linking is a one generational thing.

 

[Amer]

The only other shank colors are linked with plumage color. Extended Black or Birchen plumage genes can cause a black overlay on the shanks that isn't linked to the shank color genes.