UN scientists are to study a cockerel which swapped sex after a fox raid on his enclosure wiped out all his hens.
Gianni's Italian owners say he started life as a red-blooded rooster on his farm in Tuscany.
But within days of the fox raid, 'he' was laying eggs and trying to hatch them as he brooded over his new life in the hen house.
Now scientists at UN's Farm and Agriculture Organisation are to study the bird's DNA to see what made him change.
"It may be a primitive species survival gene. With all the females gone he could only ensure the future of his line by becoming female," said one expert.
Source: orange news
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
Latest Stories
-
‘It’s tricky, they fly a lot’ – Arteta on Carabao Cup balls
2 hours -
Newcastle win at Arsenal to take control of EFL Cup semi-final tie
2 hours -
Even Salah would struggle at Spurs – Postecoglou
2 hours -
Facebook and Instagram get rid of fact checkers
3 hours -
Trudeau says ‘not a snowball’s chance in hell’ Canada will join US
3 hours -
Europe leaders criticise Musk attacks
3 hours -
Search goes into night for survivors of Tibet quake
4 hours -
NPP must rise again, says former Deputy Housing Minister
4 hours -
Dr Prince Hamid Armah: Eight years, 2 different stories
4 hours -
Keep the light on as we did; you’re in government – Herbert Krapa
5 hours -
Independence Square glows as Mahama takes presidential oath again amid grand celebration
5 hours -
COP Tiwaa Addo-Danquah’s bust at EOCO destroyed
6 hours -
Trump threatens ‘very high’ tariffs on Denmark over Greenland
7 hours -
Full text: Mahama inaugural speech
7 hours -
CAF increases CHAN prize money to $3.5m
7 hours