Factors influencing ruffed grouse productivity and chick survival in West Virginia

I examined productivity, chick mortality, and factors influencing ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) chick survival in West Virginia during 1998--1999. The proportion of hens that attempted to nest, hen success, average clutch size, and hatch dates were similar between age classes, between sites, and between years. Hatch dates were similar between age classes and between sites. Depredation was the major cause of nest failure. I examined 2 types of radio transmitter attachment methods (glue-on and collar type) to determine mortality and survival in &le;3-day-old grouse chicks. Glue-on transmitters performed poorly, whereas collar types had excellent retention time. Chick survival was low (<30%) within the first 5 weeks post-hatch for both years. Most mortality was attributed to avian and mammalian predation. I examined arthropod abundance, biomass, and family richness, and concluded that these measures were not limiting in ruffed grouse chick survival.

Name thesis:degree_name

MS

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Wildlife and Fisheries Resources

Year dc:date.available

2000

Author dc:creator

• Dobony, Christopher A.

Contributors dc:contributor

• John W. Edwards.

• Forestry
• Ecology
• Zoology

Identifier

https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/1106

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:researchrepository.wvu.edu:etd-2109