Most of them live only a few months. This doesn't even count the number of eggs that are smashed or dropped from the nest or never hatch. Nevertheless, come the next Summer, the dove population is back at its original level, thanks to their prolific production of young. The female bird's reproductive tract shows striking differences from the mammal's in consequence. Avian Reproductive Pattern Avian reproduction has been best studied in the domestic chicken and turkeys, and the modern poultry industry rests on its complete understanding of the cycle and how to control it.
Birds lay eggs in clutches .
A clutch consists of one or more eggs, followed by a rest period of about a day, then another egg or eggs. Clutch size is species-specific and is held within fairly tight limits. A good domestic hen will lay five or more eggs in a clutch, with an interval of a day between clutches. Clutch size, as well as the numbers of clutches laid in a breeding season, will vary with species, but the principle is the same. The total time to form a new egg is about 25-26 hours.