Sex links.... do have what it takes?

[mylittlezoo]

I have found myself with a really good-looking white leghorn roo, who is just finding his 'inner rooster'. I also have barred rock hens, new hampshire reds, SLWs and Speckled Sussex.

Would any of these combinations make sex-links?

Despite my best efforts, my genetics knowledge is less than lacking!!

 

[Krys109uk]

You could make sex links from rate of feather growth gene.

http://animalsciences.missouri.edu/reprod/ReproTech/Feathersex/sld001.htm

 

[mylittlezoo]

Which hen would provide this? This would be cool.

 

[RAREROO]

You should get sexlinks from crossing him with the Barred Rock hens. Most use a red or buff roo for the gold gene on silver gene sexlinkage. But this type of sexlink would be from useing a nonbarred roo on barred hen. It should give solid black pullets and grayish/barred roos. I have never done this cross but from what I have research, this should work.

I don't think the other breeds would make sexlinks, but if you want, go ahead and try it and be sure to let us know what you get.

 

[Krys109uk]

Colour sex links won't work using a white leghorn as white leghorns are dominant white on black.

The leghorns usually have rapid feathering k+ any of the other breeds which have late feathering K will work for rate of feather growth sex links as in the, earlier, link. Sussex, wyandottes & rocks are usually late feathering, so they ought to work. Not sure about New Hampshires but I think they are also late feathering.