Big-crested hens benefit more from sex

The hens with big crests will receive more love from the beefy roosters. Big horns also prove that they lay larger eggs.

(Photo: Newscientist) While many studies show that males with prominent parts will have an advantage in seducing their spouses. This is the first study to show that large decorative parts also bring advantages to children.

Charlie Cornwallis and colleagues at Oxford University, England, performed an experiment in which the hen's crest was covered so that the male could not guess its size. As a result, the males randomly choose their mate. When the researchers removed the cover, the males all came to the larger crested woman with a rate of 80%.

Large crested hens also receive more than 50% of sperm from beefy roosters, compared to smaller crests.

The exact reason why roosters like big crested hens is still not accurate. But Cornwallis claimed that the crest could be a sign of her being fertile and laying larger eggs.

The size of the crest also changes over time, depending on the hormonal balance. However, having small crest also has the advantage, even if it does not reduce sexual harassment from the guys, it also reduces the enemy's attention.

MT