Propagation of Prairie Grouse in Captivity

Abstract

A total of 375 sharp-tailed grouse (Pedioecetes phasianellus) and greater prairie chickens (Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus) have been reared in pens for use in pesticide toxicity studies. Maintenance techniques have been developed to keep parasites and disease at a minimum and encourage breeding. Eggs are incubated and hatched mechanically and chicks are started in indoor brooders, then moved to outdoor pens. Key features of our system are: (1) wire-floored pens to minimize disease hazards, (2) 30 square ft of floor space or more per adult grouse when kept in common cages, (3) varied diets meeting growth requirements for chicks and seasonal changes in requirements for adults, (4) a fresh water supply, and (5) dusting boxes to control ectoparasites. ER, R. G., JR. 1966. Simultaneous statistiROSEBERRY, J. L., AND B. J. VERTS. 1963. RelaPrairie grouse propagation in captivity is of interest to conservation agencies and game breeders. The technique is useful for research and also may help restock suitable habitats or even prevent the extinction of a species. Two species, the sharp-tailed grouse and greater prairie chicken, have been reared at Denver since 1963 to produce uncontaminated birds for pesticide toxicity tests and for studies of effects of pesticides upon reproduction. Most species of grouse are difficult to rear in captivity in comparison with the mass production attained with other gallinaceous birds. The most successful grouse breeders were Bump et al. (1947) who raised about 2,000 ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus). Fay (1963) reared 126 ruffed grouse over a 3-year period, but the eggs were collected from wild nests. Blue grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) have been reared in small numbers by Simpson (1935), Smith and Buss (1963), and Stirling (1965). Sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) were propagated by Pyrah (1964). Trautman et al. (1933), Handley (1935), and Ramey (1935) reported propagation attempts with prairie chickens. Ligon (1954) and Coats (1955) had some success with lesser prairie chickens (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) but their work was not continued. Etter (1963) and Shoemaker (1964) have achieved sustained production of greater prairie chickens using semi-natural pens. Lemburg (1962) reared sharp-tailed grouse for several years, producing as many as 80 in one season. The original grouse for the present study were wild-trapped in Nebraska in 1962 and 1963 by K. Menzel of the Game, Forestation and Parks Commission and by the senior author in the Dakotas in 1963. Additional birds were trapped in 1964 by R. E. Wood of the Nebraska Game, Forestation and Parks Commission; F. R. Henderson and W. Jackson of the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks; R. L. Brown of the Montana Department of Fish and Game; and G. Enyeart of the North This content downloaded from 157.55.39.153 on Mon, 19 Sep 2016 05:13:38 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms PROPAGATION OF PRAIRIE GROUSE McEwen et al. 277 f. -t4,_ .? -.' ' . ....P i -. S Fig. 1A. General view of pens used for holding and propagating prairie grouse. Dakota Game and Fish Department. Assistance and advice were provided by many of our colleagues at the Denver Wildlife Research Center and manuscript aid was given by J. Oldemeyer and A. Jones. Ectoparasites were identified by M. Boddicker, South Dakota State University, Brookings. A bacterial infection (Paracolobactrum spp.) was diagnosed by H. Breen of the Colorado State University Diagnostic Laboratory and by P. A. Smith of Lakewood, Colorado.