Studies on the relation of gonadic structure to plumage characterisation in the domestic fowl.—III. The laying hen with cock's plumage

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Abstract
A description is given of 2 new cases of cock-feathered laying hens. The explanation of such cases would seem to be that these birds are genetic 9 ; at the time of the moult the ovary undergoes a process of involution, and for a short period of time the sex-gland is physiologically relatively inactive. If the new plumage begins its growth and differentiation in the absence of the controlling influence of the sex-gland, it assumes the characters of the plumage of a capon. If later, and too late to influence the differentiation of the feathers, the ovary again becomes physiologically active, the plumage as it grows becomes tightened and the end result is a laying hen equipped with a cf-type plumage, since the plumage of the agonadic bird of either sex is of this type.