Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Assay for Neural Induction in the Chick Embryo
Published on: February 13, 2009
Will the early bird get the mate? Egg lay order influences neural development in European Starling chicks
Kelly Lynn Au1, Anne E Storey, Carolyn J Walsh
1Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Elizabeth Avenue, St. John's, NL A1B 3X9, Canada.
Abstract:
We investigated the role of egg lay order on growth and neural development in pre-fledgling European Starlings, Sturnus vulgaris. Chicks hatched from early-laid eggs had larger relative RA volumes than chicks hatched from later-laid eggs. There were no relationships between lay order and the volume of other brain regions, or chick growth metrics. In adult birds, RA volume is related to song repertoire size, and may affect mate attraction ability. Lay order effects on adult song nuclei should be examined further.
Related Concept Videos
Mate Choice
Gastrulation
Determination
Imprinting
Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...

