As far as I know, this is due to iodine specifically. Females of pretty much the majority of species require a higher amount, and when low levels are present more males are born or hatched. Female animals tend to be more susceptible to goiter than males for this reason as babies, because from birth/hatching onwards, they're trying to build up a concentration that will tide them through their future pregnancies/clutches. So their thyroid will often show issues before a male because their needs are higher. I've always found that very young parents produce mainly male offspring, and nothing worth breeding. So I breed young ones to get a "crop" of "munchies" which won't have any difficult choices needing to be made over which to cull and which to keep... They're all for culling. They just look flimsy compared to later generations from the very same parents when they're older.
Lol, what a little drama queen. Obviously feels bigger than she is.
Yeah, it's just tragic how small the gene-pools have gotten and how much inbreeding is being done. At least with the wild bovines, nobody's selectively bred anything in or out for certain traits/characteristics, so I'd assume that while what's left may be limited, it ought to represent a fair template of the standard for the species as a whole.
That's great. At least some folks are doing what's necessary for preserving genetic strength and viability. Breeds which are dependent on "just so" conditions aren't going to make it very far into the future, methinks. It'll be the ferals and the free rangers that'll dominate genetically.
Best wishes to all.
Hi chooks4life, interesting about the iodine. But in my case it doesn´t really make sense, as I´ve had nearly all my ducks from ducklings, so they´ve all had first "crop" and always had many more females than males. Except this one. And they all eat the same stuff, etc....well, just means I have more young males to give away for eating. Shame, they´re so pretty!
On the subject of genetic strength, it´s generally accepted that crossing breeds strengthens the offspring. When I let my chickens cross-breed I get some very attractive, hardy birds. The goslings that I have now are from birds that may or may not be related, but my next batch, due soon, will be a total outcross, so I hope they´ll be nice and strong.
Having said that, the newest goslings are so much stronger and plumper than those that died before. I´m sure that penning them in has helped, as they have a constant supply of food, and the gander can´t go off swanning around with them and wearing them out!! He does try, though, but he´s outside their pen, so mum has total control over the little ones. So nice to see. All the geese are enchanted at the newbies! Oh, by the way, the younger gander has now taken to overseeing the older goslings! These ganders!
Chooks4life, on the bovine front, there´s someone near us who keeps buffalo. I´ve only seen buffalo meat for sale once, but I´ve seen buffalo cheese for sale a few times. Ostriches are also kept here, but not many, and apparently it can be bought in a limited number of restaurants, mainly "OUTBACK"! Brazilians tend to be beef-eaters and prefer their usual foods.
Aand the two singleton goslings are learning the art of bullying very well! The youngest one chased off a young drake today that´s bigger than her! And the newest babies are watching and learning very attentively! Oh, I´ll have a crop of thugs!
