sex linked traits?

[DuckGirl77]

Alright, so this may be a dumb question, but I'm curious - how many traits are sex linked in chickens? For example, are different types of combs sex-linked? If someone was to cross a rooster with a rose comb and a hen with a single comb, would the cockerels have single combs and the pullets have rose combs? Or what about those ear tuft things (sorry, I know I sound uneducated, but I don't know what to call them

) or the color of the chicken's legs? Are those sex-linked traits? It seems strange that people only use feather color/rate of growth for sex-linked chickens.

 

[Ravynscroft]

Nope, none of those things are sex-linked... that's why feather color or pattern is used...

 

[DuckGirl77]

Thanks for your reply.
Out of curiosity, why not?

 

[Ravynscroft]

They're just not traits that are linked genetically to different gender...

 

[DuckGirl77]

Oh, that makes sense. So, feather color/rate of growth are the only sex linked traits?

 

[dheltzel]

Oh, that makes sense. So, feather color/rate of growth are the only sex linked traits?

There are other traits, but many are not expressed in chicks, or at least not clearly enough to be of use.

 

[Ravynscroft]

There are other traits, but many are not expressed in chicks, or at least not clearly enough to be of use.

X2

Some specific lines of certain breeds might have some reliable traits... like really good lines of Welsh Harlequins having different bill colors at hatch... but in general feather color/patterns are the most reliable in sex linkage...

 

[DuckGirl77]

There are other traits, but many are not expressed in chicks, or at least not clearly enough to be of use.

X2

Some specific lines of certain breeds might have some reliable traits... like really good lines of Welsh Harlequins having different bill colors at hatch... but in general feather color/patterns are the most reliable in sex linkage...

Thank you. I'm new to breeding/genetics, so I have a lot to learn!