470 ARTIFICIAL PROPAGATION OF GROUSE 



Since the grouse is largely a plant feeder, it follows that an abundance of succulent greens 

 is in order during this season to satisfy their particular requirements. Lettuce is taken greed- 

 ily by the birds. This may be supplemented with alfalfa hay, thus providing desired bulk in 

 the diet. Apples, too, are relished at this time of the year. 



Birds show an individuality in their feeding habits. It is, therefore, desirable to ofler 

 pelleted mash, grains and greens in separate hoppers so that each bird will have an opportu- 

 nity to select the particular feed it prefers. This will eliminate much of the "billing-out" of 

 feed, thereby reducing waste and the accumulation of moldy feed under the pens. 



Quite frequently attempts are made to force egg production by increasing the protein con- 

 tent of the feed. But extreme care should be exercised in changing the protein-carbohydrate 

 balance in the ration of low producing birds. Usually egg production will cease and the birds 

 will go into a moult when the amount of protein is increased too rapidly. 



It is interesting to note that the birds consume very little |)elleted mash during the cold 

 winter months, subsisting rather on mixed grains. With the coming of spring the pellets 

 are taken in increasing amounts. After the breeding season gets under wav. more pelleted 

 mash than grain is consumed. 



The amount and kind of feed a bird takes is apt to be a reliable indicator of its productive 

 capacity. Hence a female that consumes more than an average amount of pelleted mash 

 can usually be depended upon to be a good producer. 



Mating and Egg Ferlilily. One of the more serious obstacles which retarded early progress 

 in the artificial propagation of grouse was the difficulty of securing satisfactory egg fertility. 

 AUen^ in 1934, described a mating cycle in the male. Working with small numbers of 

 birds, he secured excellent fertility by introducing males in the mating phase of the repro- 

 ductive cycle with females also ready to mate. Later observations have modified some of 

 Allen's conclusions although his method is still used on occasion. 



Low fertility has been largely overcome by the application of a few simple techniques 

 adopted as a result of many carefully controlled tests. Bv close observation one may learn 

 to recognize certain actions in male or female which indicate the bird's willingness to mate. 

 By applying this knowledge judiciously, it is possible to do much to increase the fertility of 

 the eggs produced. Previously mentioned is the necessity for establishing the birds in their 

 breeding pens at an early date. 



At the Research Center the birds usually indicate an inclination to mate in an average sea- 

 son about the middle of March. If one is not familiar with the actions of a male during this 

 period a stuffed bird mounted in a squatting position mav be placed in the pen. If the male 

 is inclined to mate he may immediately, or after a short display, attempt to do so with the 

 dummy. 



As has been previously discussed*, there are four distinct series of reactions in the male 

 brought about by physiological and psychological changes during the breeding period. Since 

 these follow a rather regular pattern in most males, there may be occasions when the mating 

 periods of the male and female do not coincide. But it does not follow that these manifesta- 

 tions appear in all male birds. For example, in 1938 a number of females were mated to a 

 single male over a period of 21 days. The matiiigs occurred in 3- to 5-day intervals on April 

 20, 23, 26, 29, May 4, 7. and 11. Similarly, another male mated on April 22. 27, May 3 and 

 7. While these may be exceptions to the rule, it is generallv believed that more of the males 



• See Chaplcr U, p. 69. 



