Abstract

This study aimed to explore a simple way to identify the genetic mechanism of shank color in chicken and provide an on-the-spot evaluation method for the trait without genealogy records. The shank color of 202 parental mating combinations and 489 offsprings were observed in Zhongyuan Game chicken and Snyder genetic ratios were calculated. The results showed that the cyan shank was dominant compared to the livid shank in Zhongyuan Game chicken, which was coincident with the characteristic of Mendelian trait in autosome. We concluded that Snyder genetic ratio was an effective way to identify the genetic mechanism of complex genetic trait.

Key words: Chicken, shank color, Snyder, genetic mechanism.