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Calcium, phosphorus and protein levels as factors in the distribution of the pheasant

Transactions of the North American Wildlife Conference
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Abstract

Summary of work on pheasant nutrition conducted since 1949 at the Patuxent Research Refuge. Pheasant chicks fed experimental diets failed to develop normally on protein levels of 15 and 18%. With 22% protein they grew at a reduced rate as compared to those on 28%. Protein level of the reproductive diet was shown to be important; low production of eggs and young resulted from levels below 25%. Calcium was found to be even more critical than protein level for reproduction; birds on a winter diet that furnished 145 mg./kg. per day had poor reproductive success the following spring. About 600 mg./kg. of Ca per day was necessary in the reproduction diet. Birds on an intermediate level of Ca (about 0.5% of diet) showed evidence of cumulative deficiency. It was concluded that pheasants receiving levels of Ca no higher than 0.5% in nature might display 'straggling failure' such as has been observed in several midwestern areas.

Suggested Citation

Dale, F., DeWitt, J., 1958, Calcium, phosphorus and protein levels as factors in the distribution of the pheasant: Transactions of the North American Wildlife Conference, v. 23, p. 291-295.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Calcium, phosphorus and protein levels as factors in the distribution of the pheasant
Series title Transactions of the North American Wildlife Conference
Volume 23
Year Published 1958
Language English
Contributing office(s) Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Description 291-295
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Transactions of the North American Wildlife Conference
First page 291
Last page 295
Additional publication details