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Lieser, M., K.-E. Schroth & P. Berthold

Ernährungsphysiologische Aspekte im Zusammenhang mit der Auswilderung von Auerhühnern Tetrao urogallus.

2005

102

97–108

Key words
(von 1994 bis 2006 vergeben)

Tetrao urogallus, Tetraonidae, nutritional physiology, release projects

Nahrung, Nahrungsangebot, Verdauungsleistung, Körpermasse, Anatomie, Zucht, Gefangenschaft, Experiment, Wiederansiedlung

Schlagwort_Vogelart
(wissenschaftlich)

Tetrao urogallus, Tetrao tetrix, Bonasa bonasia

Schlagwort_Vogelart
(deutsch)

Auerhuhn, Birkhuhn, Haselhuhn

Deutschland, Radolfzell

deutsch

Abhandlung

Aspects of nutritional physiology related to release projects with Capercaillies Tetrao urogallus. – Experiments concerning the nutritional physiology of captive-bred Capercaillies in winter revealed some facts that are significant for release projects involving grouse. All birds tested (n = 28, both sexes, young and adult birds) lost body weight very rapidly as soon as they were fed only needles of conifer species. Body weight stabilized or increased again when this was supplemented by high quality food (maize). It is evident that the birds were not able to digest natural winter food to a sufficient extent. The amount of feces resulting from fermentation in the caeca was generally smaller than in wild birds. The quantity of caecal feces per individual increased during a trial and in some cases from trial to trial, but had decreased again considerably by the following winter. Our findings correspond to data from anatomical studies showing that captive-bred grouse have a reduced digestive system compared to birds in the wild. This helps to explain why most release projects with grouse have failed. Future plans need to make sure that the birds to be used are physiologically adapted. This includes a natural community of symbiotic microorganisms in the caeca. Some implications for rearing, training and releasing grouse are discussed.