Chook Me!

Why are newly hatched wild birds totally helpless for many days while baby chicks are mobile immediately?

Given basic food and warmth, baby chicks can easily survive from day 1 without a parent, and can escape predation, being able to run around, and with sharp eyesight.

Public Comments

1. look up 'altricial' and 'precocial'. It has nothing to do with "wild birds" vs. "farm birds" or anything like that.
2. Chicks and ducklings develope fully in the egg. This is so that they are borne running because they live on the ground with the predators.