444 ARTIFICIAL PROPAGATION OF GROUSE 



GROUSE LIBERATIONS 



Transportation for Liberation — Method of Liberation — Marking for Identifica- 

 tion — Vi'HAT Determines Slrvival — Source and Experience — Age — Physical Condition 

 — Ability of Liberated Birds to Survive. 



<SS 



SUMMARY 



Ruffed grouse can be reared and maintained in fairly substantial numbers in captivity. A 

 total of L999 grouse have been raised to liberation age by the Investigation at the 

 Research Center to date. (p. 4501. 



Birds, for liberation at eight weeks, can be produced, using the methods and equipment here 

 described, at a cost of from $4.00 to S8.00 each. With additional research this cost can 

 be reduced somewhat. I p. .502 I . 



Among the important factors restricting production of lower-cost birds are biological limita- 

 tions, a lack of trained manpower and the need for specialized equipment. I p. 199). 



Some biological limitations, while probably not insurmountable, are extremely difiBcult and 

 time-consuming to master. Outstanding among these is the average production of but 18 

 to 20 eggs per breeder per vear in captivitv and the difficulties encountered in consis- 

 tently rearing more than 30 to 50 per cent of the grouse chicks. The overcoming of 

 strong dominant and subordinate complexes in the bird represents another difficulty, 

 (p. 500). 



A start has been made in overcoming many of these biological obstacles through selective 

 i)rceding. This must be continued over many years, however, before one can expect thus 

 to mitigate these difficulties. I p. 446, 463). 



Other biological limitations such as the susceptibility of the bird to disease in captivity and 

 the effect of the pronounced mating cycle have been largely overcome. Likewise, neither 

 the artificial incubation of grouse eggs nor the maintenance of a brood stock through- 

 out the year now present serious problems. I p. 4161. 



In inaugurating a grouse breeding experiment it is better to start with eggs collected in the 

 wild than with adult wild breeders, (p. 452). 



W iid nests can best be located by enlisting the cooperation of others in reporting them, 

 (p. 451). 



Eggs from wild nests should be collected and transported as close to the pipping date as pos- 

 sible, (p. 4.521. 



Of the two methods of raising grouse, the one on the ^zioiind in large enclosures under nat- 

 ural cover conditions, the other on wire in pens. om1\ the latter is practical. I p. 4571. 



Cointncirial foods can be utilized successfully in feeding grouse in captivitv. (p. 489). 



Disease mid not lie a serious cause of loss in the artilicia! propa^-alion of grouse. I p. 4461. 



Grouse can be reared at least to the eleventh gencrati ii wire «ilii"iit a|i|i;irciil physical 



impairment, (p. 457). 



Health) birds probably capable of taking care of themselves when liberated at eight weeks 



