Effects of Dieldrin on Reproduction of Penned Hen Pheasants

<p>Pen studies to determine the effects of dieldrin on reproduction of the hen pheasant were conducted for two breeding seasons, Hen pheasants were caged individually and administered encapsulated dieldrin at weekly intervals. The first season, treatment levels were 0, 2 or 4 mg of dieldrin per hen per week. Hens receiving 4 mg weighed more and laid heavier eggs than the controls. However, these differences were not attributed to the effects of dieldrin, but to the condition of the hens when first treated. Hatchability of eggs from the 2 mg group was significantly higher for an undetermined reason. Feed consumption, egg production, fertility of eggs, and weight gain and survival of chicks were not affected by the treatments. The second season, treatment levels were 0, 2, 4 or 6 mg of dieldrin per hen per week. It appears that the 2 and 4 mg treatments did not influence feed consumption animal weight sufficiently to affect the rate of egg production. However, the 6 mg treatment significantly reduced feed consumption, hen weight and egg production. Egg weights appeared erratic and not directly affected by dieldrin. Fertility and hatchability of eggs and survival and weight gain of chicks were not reduced by the treatments. Possibly the 2 mg treatment had a slight stimulatory effect on her weight. The 6 mg treatment apparently affected reproduction by lowering the condition of the hens and reducing egg production.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - Open Access

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Wildlife Management

Year

1967

Author dc:creator

• Atkins, Thomas Donald

Contributors dc:contributor

• Raymond L. Linder

• Natural Resources and Conservation

Statement dc:rights

• <p>No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only<br /><a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/</a></p>

Language dc:language

en

Repository record dc:identifier

https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd/9

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:openprairie.sdstate.edu:etd-1009