Publication Type: | Journal Article |
Year of Publication: | 2005 |
Authors: | Oesterle, P, McLean, R, Dunbar, M, Clark, L |
Journal: | Wildlife Society Bulletin |
Volume: | 33 |
Issue: | 3 |
Date Published: | 2005 |
ISBN Number: | 00917648 |
Keywords: | Centrocercus, Centrocercus urophasianus, Phasianidae |
Abstract: | This study reports the first successful husbandry and breeding in captivity of wild-caught greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). In October 2003, 21 hatch-year greater sage-grouse were trapped in northwestern Nevada and transported to Fort Collins, Colorado. We held grouse in pens at the United States Department of Agriculture's National Wildlife Research Center for 8 months. We offered a varied diet, including native food items such as sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata and A. tripartita) and yarrow (Achillea millefolium). We housed grouse in a large flight pen and allowed to them free-range as one flock. Mortality rate was 16.7%. Several of the grouse exhibited breeding behavior, and 13 eggs were laid. We describe the techniques used to house and feed wild-caught sage-grouse. This study has conservation implications for captive breeding of this species of concern. |
URL: | http://www.jstor.org/stable/3785043 |
Short Title: | Wildlife Society Bulletin |
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