In this section
@article{Potapova:2025:10.1002/zoo.21898,
author = {Potapova, N and Whitford, H and Hodge, J and Price, E},
doi = {10.1002/zoo.21898},
journal = {Zoo Biology},
title = {Optimal weight loss of pink pigeon (Nesoenas mayeri) eggs during incubation},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21898},
year = {2025}
}
TY - JOUR
AB - Incubation of pink pigeon (Nesoenas mayeri) eggs under foster doves is an important element of the captive breeding program for this threatened species, and determining optimal species-specific incubation conditions could help to maximize hatchability. We analyzed 7 years of records (n = 104 eggs) from a captive collection to investigate whether the existing guideline for optimal total weight loss of 15% is appropriate for the pink pigeon. Successfully hatched eggs lost on average 14% of their initial mass during incubation, while a weight loss of 15.5% was associated with embryo mortality, and successful eggs lost slightly less weight per day, both as raw weight and as percentage of fresh weight. Eggs weighing at least 14 g at laying were significantly more likely to hatch than lighter eggs, indicating that low fresh weight may be the most useful predictor of embryo death in pink pigeons.
AU - Potapova,N
AU - Whitford,H
AU - Hodge,J
AU - Price,E
DO - 10.1002/zoo.21898
PY - 2025///
SN - 0733-3188
TI - Optimal weight loss of pink pigeon (Nesoenas mayeri) eggs during incubation
T2 - Zoo Biology
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21898
UR - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/zoo.21898
ER -
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