Natural breeding thread

[Perris]

I also think most reptile eggs are buried and guarded rather than sat on.

This behaviour has also been documented in some birds, the megapodes. Most popular of those would probably be the Australian Bushturkey.

I am currently reading something that includes discussion of this. The dinosaur lines closely related to birds typically buried their eggs. Oviraptor dinosaurs in China (specifically, Heyuannia huangi) evolved open nests of the style now seen with the ratites (the long legged flightless birds like ostrich, emu etc.). Ratites and the tinamous incubate in large communal nests, some of which are incubated principally by the males btw (e.g. tinamou, rheas).

Crocodiles, alligators and gharials have a common ancestor with birds. Turtles are related one stage further back, while the lizards and snakes split off yet another stage back. Does anyone know, do they all bury their eggs? i.e. was it only the dinosaurs and birds that kept/developed nests above ground?

 

[Skyeknight]

Does anyone know, do they all bury their eggs? i.e. was it only the dinosaurs and birds that kept/developed nests above ground?

Right off the bat I can tell you no, they don't all bury their eggs. Just like the megapodes within birds there are exceptions in reptiles. In biology there are always exceptions which makes it so interesting! In the Netherlands for example we have a lizard, the viviparous lizard (Zootoca vivipara), that gives live birth to their young. And then there is also what exactly falls under burying. There is a difference between using sand or leaves for example. I think some reptiles also use holes/burrows or simple exposed dips in the ground and some use cracks in rocks and probably buildings. It wouldn't suprise me if tree trunks are also used. Reptiles consist of an incredibly versatile group. As long as the eggs can stay warm there is probably a reptile that uses that way to hatch eggs.

 

[redinator]

Right off the bat I can tell you no, they don't all bury their eggs. Just like the megapodes within birds there are exceptions in reptiles. In biology there are always exceptions which makes it so interesting! In the Netherlands for example we have a lizard, the viviparous lizard (Zootoca vivipara), that gives live birth to their young. And then there is also what exactly falls under burying. There is a difference between using sand or leaves for example. I think some reptiles also use holes/burrows or simple exposed dips in the ground and some use cracks in rocks and probably buildings. It wouldn't suprise me if tree trunks are also used. Reptiles consist of an incredibly versatile group. As long as the eggs can stay warm there is probably a reptile that uses that way to hatch eggs.

I did not mean to cause this thread about broody hens to take such a detour, lol. Maybe these posts should be moved to a different forum? How do we move posts, or does a moderator have to do it?

 

[fluffycrow]

Right off the bat I can tell you no, they don't all bury their eggs. Just like the megapodes within birds there are exceptions in reptiles. In biology there are always exceptions which makes it so interesting!

Indeed! The blue tongue skink for example is ovoviviparous. So, not exactly an egg laying reptile.

I think some reptiles also use holes/burrows or simple exposed dips in the ground and some use cracks in rocks and probably buildings. It wouldn't suprise me if tree trunks are also used.

If I’m not mistaken, most New Caledonian geckos lay their eggs (which are adhesive) above ground, as they are mostly tree dwelling reptiles.

Not to mention most pythons, that lay a clutch of eggs that they incubate and protect themselves. TOMTE might be able to help us out even more, since I believe they have reptiles.

As fun as this discussion is, redinator is not wrong in pointing out that we gone slightly off topic. Hopefully BDutch is a merciful thread host

 

[Skyeknight]

As fun as this discussion is, redinator is not wrong in pointing out that we gone slightly off topic.

Somehow this seems to happen to me a lot

I did find out that crocodilians do actively care for their young, even though they do bury their eggs. So if it didn't evolve multiple times, chickens could have about 235 millions years of mother instinct in them. Hopefully that brings it back on topic

 

[Virginiachickens]

Well we have our first chick hatched yesterday! There is still an egg there labeled 4/22 so it'll be a few more days to hatch, this one was laid a few days earlier. I won't make that mistake again.

Questions: She is still in the coop on the floor in her special spot with the chick and sitting on the other egg. There is a broody in there with her. Should I give the 4/22 egg to the broody, move the mom and chick to a separate enclosure, or just leave all as-is?

Wherever she is - am I leaving water and food for her? I just offered her that and she was very happy for both! Do I just leave it there in the coop with her?

How soon does baby need chick starter food, 2-3 days?

 

[Perris]

She is still in the coop on the floor in her special spot with the chick and sitting on the other egg. There is a broody in there with her. Should I give the 4/22 egg to the broody, move the mom and chick to a separate enclosure, or just leave all as-is?

Congratulations on the first chick

How long has the other broody been sitting, and when are her clutch due to hatch? Another 3 days is a long time for the hatched chick to wait, but doable; otoh you don't want to create a staggered hatch under the other broody.

Wherever she is - am I leaving water and food for her? I just offered her that and she was very happy for both!

She will need lots of quality food to replenish her resources, not just to replace what she's lost incubating but also for the weeks ahead, and fresh clean water in any case. She will also need somewhere to poop, and the poop should be removed asap to avoid the chick making contact with it.

Do I just leave it there in the coop with her?

If you want her to wait for the other egg to hatch, you will need to have food and water nearby for the broody. I would locate it such that she needs to leave the nest to reach it, but could be back on within seconds.

How soon does baby need chick starter food, 2-3 days?

Yes, 2-3 days. It will want to explore its environment too, which is why any broody poops should be removed asap.

 

[Virginiachickens]

Thank you!

Moved the mom and chick to their own space outside with an enclosed box. Lots of straw. Going to get chick starter now and ample water dishes.

Broody hen still in coop with 4/22 egg, I gave it to her. You recommend not doing that? I was thinking we'd let her hatch it and then integrate both chicks with original mom in the new pen.

The other broody has been sitting for over a week or two, I think she got inspired by the original mom and has not really left since.

 

[Perris]

so the 2nd broody was not on any eggs of her own? In that case giving her the 4/22 egg might work out well.

But I'd be surprised if the original broody will take it back later; the 'integration' you contemplate could be very difficult and/or tragic.

 

[Virginiachickens]

Ok. I might just put it back under original mom then. She is mostly just roosting with her tiny chick under her. They have not gotten up much to walk around yet. Going to get the little water dish and chicken starter now. Should I be offering the mom special food in addition, she's been getting her layer crumbles and some seeds.