- Thread starter
- #31
Two parent families are not always good. I have hens that sometimes combine parenting effort resulting in fewer chicks per broody hen reaching weaning age. Rooster as second parent does not cause such issues and may increase survival rates of chicks and certainly of juveniles, that is why behavior exists.
Such offspring generally enjoy higher social status when interacting with other members of harem and often with birds outside harem when father intervenes on their behalf. Father can make so his kids get access to best resources which bodes well for long-term quality of life. Rank in these birds appears to be passed down from parents (usually mother) like in monkeys with all kinds of long-term benefits coming from that.
Such offspring generally enjoy higher social status when interacting with other members of harem and often with birds outside harem when father intervenes on their behalf. Father can make so his kids get access to best resources which bodes well for long-term quality of life. Rank in these birds appears to be passed down from parents (usually mother) like in monkeys with all kinds of long-term benefits coming from that.