White JG x RIR would this be a sexlink ?

[jillscoop]

Would crossing White Jersey Giant hens with Rhode Island Red Rooster produce sex links offspring? Like crossing a Delaware hen to a RIR will give sexlink "red star" offspring.

 

[Blackberry18]

Depends on the genotype (gene combination) of the Jersey Giant. Red Sex-Links are produced by crossing a red gene cock (like a Rhode Island Red) to a silver gene hen (like a Delaware). White birds can carry a silver gene, but rarely. So this cross could potentially work, but only about 5% of the time because that genotype is rare. Most likely, Rhode Island Red x White Jersey Giant would produce all white chickens, because white is dominant. That's why breeders do not advise using white birds, like Leghorns and White Plymouth Rocks, in sex-linked crosses. Occasionally, the white will be recessive, but that would still not work, and is rare by itself. Females that carry a silver gene include Delawares, Silver-laced, Silver-penciled, and Columbian Wyandottes and Plymouth Rocks, Silver Leghorns, Light and Dark Brahmas, Light Sussex, Salmon Faverolle, etc. Here's a great thread for crosses and other information about Sex-Links: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/261208/sex-linked-information

 

[geco812]

As long as the JG didn't have any dominate white in it. The best way to tell if your hen is silver is if it has a Columbian pattern. Otherwise you are taking chances. Same with white rocks and leghorns.

 

[jillscoop]

Thank you. I really appreciate the information & clarification.

 

[junebuggena]

Would crossing White Jersey Giant hens with Rhode Island Red Rooster produce sex links offspring? Like crossing a Delaware hen to a RIR will give sexlink "red star" offspring.

White Jersey Giants are recessive white, which means they will breed like a solid black bird. It's unlikely that there will be any difference in the chicks since the extended black gene basically covers up the base color entirely. Their white color is due to a gene that modifies black coloring.
Delawares are 'silver', not white. They still have visible black patterning.

 

[Michael OShay]

White Jersey Giants are recessive white, which means they will breed like a solid black bird. It's unlikely that there will be any difference in the chicks since the extended black gene basically covers up the base color entirely. Their white color is due to a gene that modifies black coloring.
Delawares are 'silver', not white. They still have visible black patterning.

X2 on junebuggena's post.