Why Eggs?

[Ben C]

Now this may seem a bit odd, but I am watching a Song Thrush nesting outside my window and I got to thinking about eggs.

More specifically, why eggs exist full stop. What is the benefit of a hawk or any other bird for that matter, having eggs as a way of continuing the breed??

They seem so cumbersome, fiddly and not as efficient as say internal pregnancy. They have to be kept warm so the parent is a a risk by remaining stationary. They can be stolen and eaten. They may not hatch etc etc.

Does anyone have any explanation as to why they are so successful??? Also what are they made from??

[MoltenMetal]

probably got something to do with trying to fly with 2 or 3 chick inside them

[Dave G]

its called nature ;) the way its ment to be lol

[Game & Pursuit Falcon UK]

Also Id geuss at their being less evolved then more complex species such as mammals that give birth to live young. If you think about it everything laid eggs at one point in time. The womb is second stage evolution.

[Ben C]

"The womb is second stage evolution"...........I like that, not thought of it that way..

[Talon]

what about mammals which lay eggs ie duck bill platipus and the echidna.?

[Game & Pursuit Falcon UK]

Didnt need to evolve a womb as there were few ground predators?

[Talon]

would of thought eggs .would be more at danger from reptiles and birds
eating them.not mentioning rats and others.?

[Game & Pursuit Falcon UK]

Rats didnt exist in the country of origin till man ****ed it up.

[Talon]

australia have allways had bush rats and water rats it was only the black and brown that isnt native to them.

any way sorry for going of the subject off eggs ben c

[Game & Pursuit Falcon UK]

australia have allways had bush rats and water rats it was only the black and brown that isnt native to them.

any way sorry for going of the subject off eggs ben c
Ah your right Im thinking NewZealand.

[Gordon]

Now this may seem a bit odd, but I am watching a Song Thrush nesting outside my window and I got to thinking about eggs.

More specifically, why eggs exist full stop. What is the benefit of a hawk or any other bird for that matter, having eggs as a way of continuing the breed??

They seem so cumbersome, fiddly and not as efficient as say internal pregnancy. They have to be kept warm so the parent is a a risk by remaining stationary. They can be stolen and eaten. They may not hatch etc etc.

Does anyone have any explanation as to why they are so successful??? Also what are they made from??leave the the bloody wacky bacci alone mate, its playing tricks on yer mind, birds are reptiles and don't have a womb, they are not mammals which is why they lay eggs!!!!! duhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, do you need futher edumacation

[Game & Pursuit Falcon UK]

Platapus?

[MickeyDredd]

Platapus?

No need for name-calling ;)

[Game & Pursuit Falcon UK]

No need for name-calling ;)
Ardvark.

[MickeyDredd]

Ardvark.

Damn, you know all the good ones :lol:

[GoodFooter]

Take the pheasant rearing 10 chicks.....couldnt fly with 10 egg sized embryos in her!!!! so lays 1 a day then incubates them when she has enough eggs!!! same for most birds....... if they has one chick by live birth it wouldnt replace the high mortality rates ( by what ever method eg crashing, being eaten,disease etc) and birds who die out. most mammals etc dont fly so can carry big or muliple offspring.
Simple really.:rolleyes:

[Ben C]

birds are reptiles and don't have a womb, they are not mammals


Gordon: How the hell are birds reptiles????????? I know they probably evolved from reptiles but they are a different species. Are you saying that the use of eggs is a throw back to their reptile ancestors??? In which case that makes sense.

Still doesn't explain why they use eggs as a source of breeding.........

How is the hacking HH going anyway?

[Ben C]

australia have allways had bush rats and water rats it was only the black and brown that isnt native to them.

any way sorry for going of the subject off eggs ben c


Keep going its all interesting mate :supz:

[Ben C]

Take the pheasant rearing 10 chicks.....couldnt fly with 10 egg sized embryos in her!!!! so lays 1 a day then incubates them when she has enough eggs!!! same for most birds....... if they has one chick by live birth it wouldnt replace the high mortality rates ( by what ever method eg crashing, being eaten,disease etc) and birds who die out. most mammals etc dont fly so can carry big or muliple offspring.
Simple really.:rolleyes:


.......................as is the way with nature......GENIUS!

[Jarreth]

Now this may seem a bit odd, but I am watching a Song Thrush nesting outside my window and I got to thinking about eggs.

Does anyone have any explanation as to why they are so successful??? Also what are they made from??


Egg is made up of about 94 percent calcium carbonate
(Ca(CO3)2), 1 percent magnesium carbonate, 1 percent calcium phosphate, and
about 4 percent organic matter, mainly protein. The egg shell has pores
through which air, moisture, and even bacteria can pass. The shell
represents about 11 percent of the weight of an egg. The shell is made up
of three parts -- the mammillary or inner layer is adjacent to the shell
membranes and has a "knob" like appearance. The middle layer, the bulk of
the shell is made up of small calcite crystals, mostly randomly arranged
with the pores running through it. The cuticle or top layer is a thin film
of protein that covers the egg when it is layed, but which drys up and
flakes off over time. The organization of the shell (i.e., the crystals of
calcite) provides a rigid structure that protects against breakage in
certain directions. On the other hand a small tap in some directions will
crack the shell.