Selective breeding for Silkie chicken skin color based on the Lab color system

Skin color is one of the important traits of specialized lines of Silkie chickens. In this study, the L, a, and b values of the skin, viscera, muscles, and periosteum were collected. We examined the distribution patterns of these color indicators in different tissues and at different sites and the relationship between L, a, and b values. Two groups of hens with skin color at two different ends of the color spectrum were selected for transcriptome sequencing to identify candidate genes affecting skin color.