Temperature

[dangerzone]

Read once this article a few years ago saying that you can actually alter or maybe somehow affect the sex of the chicken by simply having a sort of higher temperature for male or lower temperature for females (or maybe the other way around) applied on the chicken eggs.

I've read about sex-linked and I believe that such genetic passing from the parents to the offspring can determine the offspring's gender.

I'm just curious. Could it be possible to have the temperature affect the outcome gender of the egg's chick or it's just a myth?

Thanx.

 

[Bantimna]

I don't know, it's worth trying an experiment.

 

[bigstack]

I know it works in alligators! LOL Might be worth a try!

Good Luck and God Bless!

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

It does not work in mammals or birds; chickens are birds.

It does work in some reptiles and fish. Not sure about amphibians.

 

[Wynette]

It works in crocodiles AND alligators, who have a very similar reproductive system as chickens, believe that or not!

I tried to find the answer to this years ago, and never did find any research to support the theory that it works for chickens as well.

 

[Ryu]

Chickens use a chromosomal sex-determination system.

Although it sure seems like some breeds hatch more males than females all the time. Third year in a row that I have gotten 3:1 or 4:1 males:females for my Cornish.

 

[Namble]

I've heard about this before. I don't think higher or lower temps will affect the gender of a chicken. So, I'd say it's a myth, although, I wish it were true!!

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Does not work in poultry. If it did the commercial hatcheries would not have millions of unwanted male chicks to dispose of.

 

[dangerzone]

I guess you're right, can't work... Thanks for being mythbusters guys. Saves me time to experiment.

It's really puzzling though 'cause as a few of you said, it works on alligator eggs. How does an alligator's egg differ from those of the chickens. Isn't it composed of eggyolk and eggwhite? And wouldn't the genetic material get "scrambled" in the egg cause it's liquid or semiliquid you know? Just a question. Sorry to be very naive and full of questions. Forums are built for this right? No matter how stupid or naive it may sound.

 

[Ryu]

In temperature dependent sex-determination the sex of the embryo is determined by hormones released in response to the temperature. In chormosomal dependent sex-determination the individuals inherit sex determining chromosomes from the parents.