Sex linked traits in poultry
Gender is determined genetically by two sex chromosomes. In mammals these are the X and Y chromosomes, with males having XY chromosomes and females having XX. In a mating, the parents each contribute one sex chromosome. As a result, it is the male that, genetically, determines the gender of the offspring. In birds, however, the sex chromosomes are referred to as Z and W, with females having ZW chromosomes and males having ZZ. In birds, therefore, it is the female that determines the gender of the offspring. In addition to determining gender, sex chromosomes carry genes that can affect other traits, such as plumage color. These characteristics have been used in sex-linked crosses and can be used to determine the gender of the offspring. Sex-linked crosses can only be produced with male and female chickens of differing breeds in specific combinations. For example, a Delaware female mated to a New Hampshire or Rhode Island Red male results in male offspring that will grow up t...