Editing Plumage (section)

===Hen feathering in cocks===
{{Main|Hen feathering}}

Hen feathering in cocks is a genetically conditioned character in domestic fowl ([[Gallus gallus domesticus]]). Males with this condition develop a female-type plumage, although otherwise look and respond like virile males. In some breeds, one can see males that have a plumage completely similar in all aspects to that of females. The trait is controlled by a simple [[autosome|autosomic]] [[dominant gene]], whose expression is limited to the male sex.<ref name=j3/><ref name=j4/><ref name="somes"/> The condition is due to an enhanced activity of the aromatase complex of [[enzyme]]s responsible for [[estrogen]] synthesis. So estrogen formation in the skin is as much as several hundred-fold higher than that of normal chickens.<ref name=j5/>