Do zebras cull their young?

btong · Post by **btong** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 4:19 pm

My first pair of zebras popped 5 eggs out, and like clockwork, the first egg hatched 2 weeks later. Five days later, I could've sworn there were 4 chicks and one un-hatched egg. However, after being away for 4 days and on returning, I could only count 2 (it was time for leg banding). And those two are now healthy 6 week old birds.
At no time could I see any blood or carcass in the nest or within the nesting material (upon removing the nesting material once the chicks fledged).
Are zebras known to cull their chicks so that they only have to care for fewer chicks?
Interestingly, this pair now has 7 eggs and 2 has since hatched. So I'll be keeping a keen eye on them this time to see if the same happens.
Any comments?

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 4:33 pm

Many finches will eject their chicks from the nest for many different reasons....I'm surprised you didn't find them on the cage floor.

btong · Post by **btong** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 4:59 pm

I looked everywhere and was surprised that I couldn't find any carcass or remains. I even thought that maybe the parents ate them!!

poohbear wrote:Many finches will eject their chicks from the nest for many different reasons....I'm surprised you didn't find them on the cage floor.