Friday, October 24, 2008

The sex-change cockerel that once laid eggs

This crowing cockerel has a secret - he was once an egg laying hen. George the chicken is now ruling the roost having transformed herself from Georgina.

The hermaphrodite or intersex hen lives with animal campaigner Jane Howorth at the Battery Hen Welfare Trust headquarters in Chulmleigh, North, Devon. Ms Howorth said: "George is a little bit of both sexes.

"As she was surrounded by other hens with only one other male in the group she has decided to take on the role of a cockerel - a process which has taken around two years."



George has even developed a cockscombe, the red head decorations which only adorn males.

According to animal experts, George's case is a one-in-10,000 rarity.

It is believed that it can happen when a damaged ovary causes the hen's testosterone levels to soar, turning the remaining ovary into a testicle.

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