From Poultry Genetics -Mutations
www.edelras.nl/chickengenetics/mutations2.html
"The gene responsible for white skin is the "W+". It is a dominant gene. The gene "w" is the yellow skin gene, recessive to white. These gene alleles affect the "epidermal-outerlayer", therefore influence shank/sole color. The "dermal-under layer" influence to shank color is determined by the gene alleles "Id" (no pigment) & "id" (dermal-black pigment). The dermal genes are sex-linked.
The combination of both dermal and white/yellow skin genes alone can produce the following:
Shank color Dermis Epidermis
White none (id/Id) white (W+/W+)
Yellow none (Id/Id) yellow (w/w)
Green (willow) black (id+/id+) yellow (w/w)
Slate/Blue black (id+/id+) white (W+/W+)
Black black (id+/id+) white (W+/W+)
Unfortunately there is much more, as "plumage color genes" can influence shank color significantly. Another major influence on epidermal pigment shank color is the E (Extended Black) gene, and to a lessor degree- ER (Birchen). These enhance black extension on to the epidermal layer."
Enhancers of black shank color: Extended Black (E/E), Birchen (ER/ER)
Now in my own words........there is still many more factors that can affect leg colors. (Blue, recessive white, mottling, Dominant white, gold dilute and barring). Id is the inhibitor that turns dark legs light and recessive id+ allows for dark legs.
I am gathering that he would be "W+, id+, E"
This next quote is from VillageChicken~
"id" (recessive) allows for the the formation of melanin under the skin."
Hope this helps and the website that I listed above is a fabulous and easy read.
edited to add a quote from Blackdotte:
"Id is an incomplete dominant with variable penetration, <snip> the "e" (allele) has an effect, E & ER give darker shanks, eWh lighter. More variable on e+ and eb. There are also know but undocumented modifiers that clear shank color and allow yellow or white legs on ER, ER/eb & eb black birds."
Kelly...hope this helps and didn't confuse you, because after reading it I am not even more confused.
