Diet and Mortality of Young Blue Grouse Raised in Captivity

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Blue grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) obtained from the wild as eggs or young less than a week old (N = 139) were raised in captivity. The diet consisted of chopped lettuce, hard-boiled egg, and commercial Turkey Poult Crumbles only. Captive grouse grew as well as birds in the wild. Newly- hatched chicks ate immediately and unaided when food was scattered beneath their feet. Heavy mortal- ity occurred in certain years even though the chicks received the same diet that produced good survival in other years. This mortality may not necessarily be the same as that caused by a loss of vigor among young bred from captive parents.