Leg / Shank Color

Mar 3, 2025
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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?
 
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.
 
Check out this thread. It may help you.

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


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.
Thanks for the link

Must not have been thinking when I wrote that *facepalm*
Of course, with f1, daughters will have slate and sons won't so it's just the leg version of other sex links...

I was thinking something different in my mind but am not sure how to articulate it. I must have mixed up a few thoughts together.
I think I was wondering what color an f1 might throw no matter what the cross was. Like if shank color has hidden genes, or if it's pretty predictable just based on looking
 

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