Thank you for this reply. I know that the ambient heat has been the
problem because I candle all the eggs daily (and try to take pictures of
the developing vasculature) and I can see the different stages of
internal development of the sibs.
e.rosbooks
ef29 RemoveThis @drexel.edu wrote:
>
> erosbooks RemoveThis @att.net wrote:
> > Due to the abnormally hot weather recently in NYC the last three
> > clutches of eggs "my" pigeons have laid resulted in both eggs hatching
> > 18 days after being laid. The result has been that despite my attempts
> > at intervention, at fledging the first hatched chicks were about twice
> > the size of the siblings.
> > My observations have been that the runts remain small in weight and size
> > even after they become independent and join the flock. Since these are
> > really feral pigeons I am wondering if the runts will survive in Nature
> > and mate. I assume that in the case of specialty bred birds the runts
> > are culled.
> > e.rosbooks
>
> Alot of pigeon raisers incur this problem during hot weather. I raise
> rollers and if it gets too hot, they won't even sit on the nest.
> Normally, they don't lay the second egg until a day after the first.
> But they dont sit on the first egg until after the second egg is laid,
> so that both eggs start incubation at the same time. But sometimes the
> heat can mess that all up. 90+ degree heat plus high humidity can cause
> the eggs to start incubating.
>
> Sometimes their "runtyness" varies. I have had some that stayed small,
> but still had no problem mating, and others that grew to normal size,
> albeit taking them longer than most. The size really plays no
> importance in mating, although females have a tendency to prefer
> dominant cocks, most of which are usually larger. As long as the bird
> is healthy and strong, his size should not cause a problem.
> Some birds thou, have genetic faults which can cause runt babies. Thats
> another subject.
> E-Man >> Stay informed about: Runts 
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