Optimal Weight Loss of Pink Pigeon (Nesoenas mayeri) Eggs During Incubation.

Abstract

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.