490 ARTIFICIAL PROPAGATION OF GROUSE 



3. Chick grit No. 4 is mixed at the rate of four pounds per 100 pounds of mash and grain. 



4. After two weeks, chick grain is fed at the rate of ten pounds per 100 pounds of mash 

 and increased by a like amount weekly for four weeks. 



5. After ten days, the starter mash is fed only in hoppers. 



6. After seven weeks, a separate hopper is provided for grain and for mash. 



7. Chopped lettuce is fed the first ten days. 



8. Chopped apple leaves are fed from 6th to 9th day only. 



9. For the purpose of this chart, the hatching date is set at June 1; the birds are consid- 

 ered as adults after October 1. 



Feather Picking and Cannibalism 



Those used to handling quail and pheasants will be impressed by the fact that the vicious 

 habits of grouse are negligible by comparison. Such common ones as toe picking and feather 

 pulling have not been important difficulties at the Research Center during the 12-day period 

 the chicks are in the battery brooder. Likewise, it seldom occurs after they are transferred 

 to the colony house if the light is subdued. 



The one period when feather picking is most likely to be annoying is in late summer or 

 early fall when the tail feathers of the juveniles have been moulted and those of the adults 

 are just appearing. It often is necessary to segregate a few of the worst picked birds until 

 new feathers are well started. 



Occasionallv chicks are picked at the base of the upper mandible, at the end of a toe or 

 around the vent. If the offending birds are isolated for a few days the difficulty usually 

 ceases after which they may be returned to the pen. When picking does occur, it may be 

 serious, for grouse, like the mountain quail of the West, succumb rather easily to such mishaps. 

 The loss of blood from an injury as slight as a picked toe often will result in death. Simi- 

 larly, a pulled toenail which may have been caught in ihc wire fluor. often proves fatal. 

 Whether this is due directly to loss of blood, to shock or to sonic othtr factor, has not been 

 determined. It is well, therefore, to care promptly for such dillicullies. 



Several factors lend to encourage picking and cannibalism. Excessively high or low tenx- 

 peratures as well as lack of feed or water may induce these vices. It is therefore advisable, 

 in addition to keeping an abundance of feed and water before the birds, to supply some form 

 of attractive green food to keep them busy. The rare severe outbreak may be checked by 

 keeping the birds in a darkened brooder unit. 



Reducing the Danger from Disease and Predation 



Grouse chicks, like quail, are susceptible to most poultry diseases though a few are not 

 common to the latter. It is im])<>rtaiit to keep disease preventive practices constantlv in mind. 

 Battery brooders should be thoroughly cleaned, scrubbed and disinfected before a new lot 

 of chicks is started. The same applies to each unit of the colony house which has been 

 previously occui)ied. Attendants responsible for the care of the adult grouse or of other 

 species should, if possible, keep away from the battery brooder room as well as from other 

 building or units where chicks are being reared. At the Center, as an added precaution, a 

 mat soaked in disinfectant is placed before each outside door so that shoe soles can be dis- 

 infected. 



