Pigeon Development: A Comparison of the Difference in Growth of Baby Pigeons, Human Care vs. Natural Parent Care

Overview

Objectives/Goals What is the difference between pigeon care and human care? I believe that pigeons taken care of by their parents will be at least 25% bigger and will start flying and eating on their own about two weeks earlier than the pigeons taken care of by humans, because of the nutrients that the hatchlings receive from their parents and by watching their parents to learn how to fly and to eat. The objective is to compare the difference in baby pigeons taken care of by their natural parents verses humans. Methods/Materials I have five nests with two eggs each, I took one sibling from each nest after they hatched, and took care of the five while the other five stayed with their parents. Their growth in weight, feather growth, and abilities to fly and to eat by themselves were recorded. Materials used: - Kaytee, exact hand feeding formula - Two syringes - Fine Feathers bird food - Water - Mallard Creek Shavings - Heating Lamp - Lizard heating pad - Cage - Gravel Results Pigeons taken care of by their parents grew faster and healthier than the pigeons taken care of by me. They also started to eat by themselves and to fly about 2 - 4 weeks sooner than the pigeons taken care of by me. Conclusions/Discussion According to my results the difference in growth did not stay the same as stated in my hypothesis.The Human Care pigeons are only growing more slowly. My research leans towards that the human care pigeons will not be stunted for life, and eventually will catch up with the pigeons taken care of by their parents. This helps people who take care of pigeons to know the best care possible.

Competition history

• CSEF 2011 Zoology · Entry J2208

Resources

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