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title: "5.1.2  Events after birth"
canonical: "https://wiki.groenkennisnet.nl/space/TAB/288686129/5.1.2%20%20Events%20after%20birth"
format: markdown
---
After birth or hatch, the influence of the mother continues, provided the offspring is allowed to be with the mother. However, the influence of the environment prior to birth is still present. So if there was shortage of something in the uterus or egg, then the development will have adjusted accordingly. After birth there may be compensatory growth, but if the organs were not optimally developed then that is a given fact that cannot be corrected anymore. The development continues after birth, also with a number of windows of development. Post-birth development does not only involve development of the physical part of the animal, but also of the emotional part. Many components of the character are developed during the first few weeks after birth. A sub-optimal early environment can have irreversible influence on the emotional development of the animal. Until weaning the environment of the animal is influenced by the maternal care, including food provision, but also by the other members of the environment, for example litter mates.