468 ARTIFICIAL PROPAGATION OF GROUSE 



The males will be seen more frequently in their courtshij) display. At the Center the birds 

 are moved into the breeding pens early, usually by the first of March. This encourages 

 harmony among the penned pairs and results in an increase in the number of fertile eggs 

 |)rodu<ed. To allow the confusion incident to the change to take place at the beginning of 

 the mating period is to run an unnecessary risk. 



One must watch the birds closely up to the time mating occurs. If the pair do not get 

 along well during this time, a high degree of infertility may result. 



Grouse are extremely sensitive to any changes during the breeding season. These may 

 reduce egg production and fertility. At the Center all birds are attended regularly and punc- 

 tually by the same attendant. A definite routine of feeding, watering and collection of eggs 

 at the same hour each day is followed. Strangers should be kept away from the birds. It is 

 a good idea to discourage all visitors during the laying season. 



To whistle, call and talk to the birds helps to establish a certain, almost intimate, acquain- 

 tance. But they should not be handled except when absolutely necessary lest they become 

 unduly wild. 



\^ ith the advent of warm weather, disease once more becomes a potential problem. It is 

 usually less prevalent if the pens are kept sanitary, the feed clean and the water fresh*. 



Feeding Breeding Birds. There has been much progress during the past tw'elve years in 

 developing suitable feeding rations for game birds. From carefully guarded gamekeepers' 

 formulas containing secret and mysterious ingredients, the ration has at last emerged as a 

 series of standard commercial products prepared for game birds. 



Grouse feeds are still largely in the empirical stage of development. In selecting one. it is 

 wise to choose a ration with a wide variety of ingredients so that as many as possible of 

 the nutritive requirements of the birds may be met. There is an insufficient number of birds 

 currently available to permit the carrying on of thorough, scientific tests covering these 

 requirements. Minerals and vitamins are extremely important in the feed to secure maximum 

 production and at the same time maintain bodv weight and normal metabolism. 



In fact, the ijuality of the egg and the resultant chick depends to a large extent upon the 

 (]ualitv of the feed given to the breeders. 



It is not only essential to supply a balanced ration but the feed must also be in a form 

 which will be readilv accepted bv the birds. With grouse it has been found that a mash pel- 

 leted in the proper size is preferred to the regular, finely ground product. 



The feed used at the Center is a commercial product designed for game birds. Basically it 

 consists of pelleted mash and a mixture of grains'^. These are presented in separate hoppers. 

 Granite or other insoluble grit is added at the rate of four i)i)unds per hundred pounds of 

 mash or grain. In or<ler to sliniulate the appetite of llu' birds while lliey arc in ])roduction. 

 a hiipjier of a mixture made u]) of two parts mash cuid one part of grains, moistened with 

 water to a crumbly consistency, is provided once each morning. 



In the grain mixture a varietv is desirable. The one which has proved most satisfactory is 

 a eonunercial mixture for pheasant and quail, containing kaflir corn, wheat, oats, milo and 

 clipped barley as well as smaller seeds. Among the latter, millet and certain other seeds 

 are seldom eaten. Yellow corn is not sought often by grouse during the mild spring and hot 

 sununer weather. 



* Srp alio diacutiion p. 472. 



A See Feedt and Feeding ScheduU*. Kigtirr M, p. 489. 



