Med. Weter. 80 (11), 607-613, 2024
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| KATARZYNA TAJCHMAN, ANASTASIYA RAMANKEVICH, KAMIL DRABIK, KORNEL KASPEREK, MACIEJ WÓJCIK |
| Welfare of gray partridge kept in adaptive aviaries |
| The ongoing transformation of the environment, as well as the intensification of agriculture to meet the growing needs of humans, has a negative impact on small game. The drastic decline in the population of the partridge has led to the adoption of various forms of protection, such as restrictions on shooting or supporting the population by introducing new individuals bred in an appropriate manner. Therefore, the aim of the study was to analyze the most frequently displayed behaviors of partridges (Perdix perdix) kept in adaptive aviaries. The partridges were observed kept in adaptive aviaries in Hunting Districts of the State Forests “Rawityn” in the Lubartów Forest District and “Suchowola” in the Radzyń Podlaski Forest District from August 18 to September 13, 2023 using wide-angle cameras. The analyzed data were compared with weather conditions. Regardless of the behavior, the birds most often appeared on the recordings between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Partridges spent significantly more time on care behavior (225.81 s) compared to foraging (72.42 s). At lower temperatures, groups were larger compared to birds representing behavior at higher temperatures. The obtained results confirm the tendency of partridges to gather in larger groups during lower air temperatures. Combining into flocks allows birds to survive colder periods, as well as increase safety during the appearance of natural enemies. The welfare of birds was not compromised during their stay in appropriately managed adaptive aviaries. |
| Keywords: Perdix perdix, reintrodukcja, behaviour, welfare |