Diet of Tetrastes bonasia Chicks and Diet Consumption in Captivity

Abstract

The diet consumption of Tetrastes bonasia chicks was investigated in captivity in 1987 and 1988. Chicks were supplied with an artificial diet composed of 9.5 to 21.0% crud protein, 2.1 to 17.2% crude fat and 1.5 to 4.8% crude fiber. The gross energy of the diet ranged from 2, 033.9 to 3, 880.6 kcal/kg in different ages. Diet consumption in dry weight was 1.5 g/day/bird in 2 days old chicks, increasing to 24.8 g/day/bird in 46 days old chicks and averaging 22.1 g/day/bired after 50 days old chicks. The body weight just after hatching averaged 11.4 g and reached 300 g or more in 98 days old chicks. Forty-nine days old chicks atained 69% of adult weight, 82% of adult wing length, 95% of adult bill lenght, and 98% of adult tarsus length. The relationship between the age in days (X) and diet consumption per body weight (Y) is Y=-0.0941+15.34. The survival rate was 90% in 35 days 65% in 112 days old chicks. The main cause of death after 42 days old was aspergillosis and peritonitis. A standard diet was presented based on the data for diet consumption.