Incubation temperature of the pigeon embryo ( Columba livia)

Abstract

This study compared the growth and development of pigeon embryos raised in the nest under normal parental care to that of eggs from the same clutch incubated in an incubator. The average daily temperatures of both environments (nest and incubator) were the same, but the hourly average temperatures and patterns of temperature fluctuations of these environments differed. Our results indicate that the small temperature fluctuations experienced by pigeon eggs in the nest under parental incubation may be the optimal thermal environment for in ovo growth and development.