top of page

Ptilopody

Part Affected

Autosomal, Recessive

Inheritance

13, 15

Chromosome

Pti-1, Pti-2, and Pti-3

Locus

TBX5, PITX1, ZIC1, FGF20, WNT11, WNT7A, WNT16, and SHH

Scientific Gene

Quick Look:

Description:

The foot feathering gene in chickens is called Ptilopody (1). The gene itself makes the bird grow various amounts of feathers from the hock, down through the shank, and sometimes across the foot (5). This gene has been thought to link chickens to dinosaurs and help shape our knowledge of evolution in general (1). This link to the prehistoric bones means that the gene in chickens has been extensively studied, and feather footed chickens, while mostly focused to Asiatic and some Continental breeds, have been found across the globe (3).


Up to 25 different mutations are believed to cause the main foot feathing (7). It is also believed to be the same, or at least very, very similar gene to pigeons (2) and other avians (surprisingly not found in coturnix, button quail, turkeys, or waterfowl) and several studies have been done to explore how the genes coevolved in both chickens and pigeons (2)(5).


The amount of feathering varies from species and breeds, and is mostly due to selective breeding (5). Some breeds, such as the Marans, require feathering just down the shank, while other breeds like the cochin require feathers across the foot through at least the middle toe (8).


APA recognized breeds with feathered feet include d'Uccle, Booted Bantams, Brahma, Cochin, Favorelles, Langshan, Silkie, Sultan, and Marans. (8)


Feathered Feet x Feathered Feet = 100% Feathered Feet

Feathered Feet x Non-Feathered Feet = 100% Carriers (extremely sparse foot feathering, if any)

Feathered Feet x Carriers = 50% Feathered Feet, 50% Carriers

Carriers x Carriers = 25% Non-Feathered Feet, 50% Carriers, 25% Feathered Feet

Carriers x Non-Foot Feathered = 50% Carriers, 50% Non-Foot Feathered

References & Further Reading

  1. Du, Wenya, et al. "Identification of genes involved in regulating the development of feathered feet in chicken embryo." Poultry Science 102.9 (2023): 102837.

  2. Bortoluzzi, Chiara, et al. "Parallel genetic origin of foot feathering in birds." Molecular biology and evolution 37.9 (2020): 2465-2476.

  3. Ikeobi, C. O. N., et al. "Frequencies of feet feathering and comb type genes in the Nigerian local chicken." Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science 24.2 (2001): 147-150.

  4. Li, Jingyi, et al. "Mutations upstream of the TBX5 and PITX1 transcription factor genes are associated with feathered legs in the domestic chicken." Molecular biology and evolution 37.9 (2020): 2477-2486.

  5. Ng, Chen Siang, and Wen-Hsiung Li. "Genetic and molecular basis of feather diversity in birds." Genome biology and evolution 10.10 (2018): 2572-2586.

  6. Domyan, Eric T., et al. "Molecular shifts in limb identity underlie development of feathered feet in two domestic avian species." elife 5 (2016): e12115.

  7. Yang, Shaohua, et al. "Whole-genome resequencing reveals genetic indels of feathered-leg traits in domestic chickens." Journal of Genetics 98.2 (2019): 47.

  8. American Poultry Association. (2023). American Standard of Perfection (45th ed.)


Gallery of Images

bottom of page