DIFFERENCES IN RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGES (Alectoris rufa) BEHAVIOUR DEPENDING ON THE PAIRING METHOD

ALONSO, M.E.; PRIETO, R. PÉREZ, J.A.; DÍEZ, C.; GAUDIOSO, V. Dpto. Producción Animal II, Facultad de Veterinaria de León. 24071. España.

E.mail: dp2mav@unileon.es

XXXVIII International Congress of the ISAE (HELSINKI, FINLANDIA)

INTRODUCTIONHandling and production systems in intensive red-Handling and production systems in intensive red-legged partridge farms are very different from birds legged partridge farms are very different from birds wild behaviour in natural conditions. One of the wild behaviour in natural conditions. One of the aspects to consider in the management is the type of aspects to consider in the management is the type of pairing, since scientific evidence exist on the positive pairing, since scientific evidence exist on the positive correlation between parameters of reproductive correlation between parameters of reproductive success, as fertility, broods size and chicks survival, success, as fertility, broods size and chicks survival, and the possibilities of freely choosing a partner. and the possibilities of freely choosing a partner.

OBJETIVESThis study aimed to evaluate the differences in the This study aimed to evaluate the differences in the behaviour of forced and free choice pairs of red-legged behaviour of forced and free choice pairs of red-legged partridges.partridges.

MATERIAL AND METHODS48 birds hatched in May of the previous year on a 48 birds hatched in May of the previous year on a commercial game farm that used an intensive breeding commercial game farm that used an intensive breeding method were used. 12 pairs of free choice formed method were used. 12 pairs of free choice formed following the methodology described by PRIETO (2003) following the methodology described by PRIETO (2003) (Photo 1) and 12 forced pairs formed randomly were (Photo 1) and 12 forced pairs formed randomly were housed individually in metal mesh cages of 4 mhoused individually in metal mesh cages of 4 m22 (2 m (2 m long x 2 m wide x 1 m high) (Photo 2) placed such that long x 2 m wide x 1 m high) (Photo 2) placed such that neighbouring pairs of birds could not see each other. neighbouring pairs of birds could not see each other. Video recordings were made daily throughout the first Video recordings were made daily throughout the first week during 4 hours in the early morning (Photo 3). week during 4 hours in the early morning (Photo 3). Frequency and duration of 22 behavioural parameters Frequency and duration of 22 behavioural parameters described by PINTOS et al. (1985) have been analysed described by PINTOS et al. (1985) have been analysed using a computer program developed for this purpose. using a computer program developed for this purpose. Data were analysed by one-way ANOVA to assess the Data were analysed by one-way ANOVA to assess the significance of differences between pairing method significance of differences between pairing method usingusing the computer program statistical SPSs© (version the computer program statistical SPSs© (version 10.0) for WINDOWS©. 10.0) for WINDOWS©.

RESULST AND DISCUSIONThe free choice birds showed a significantly higher frequency of The free choice birds showed a significantly higher frequency of “alert pattern” (43,50±20,1 versus 18,19±9,6), and also shows “alert pattern” (43,50±20,1 versus 18,19±9,6), and also shows more behaviours related to the nourishment and cohesive more behaviours related to the nourishment and cohesive behaviours as "pecking" (82,69±28,5 versus 49,56±14,3), “come behaviours as "pecking" (82,69±28,5 versus 49,56±14,3), “come to peck " (6,00±3,9 versus 1,94±1,8), "pecking the two at the to peck " (6,00±3,9 versus 1,94±1,8), "pecking the two at the same time" (23,13±12,3 versus 10,75±4,4), and "follow the same time" (23,13±12,3 versus 10,75±4,4), and "follow the other" (8,00±5,7 versus 3,63±2,2) (Graphs 1 and 2 and Table 1).other" (8,00±5,7 versus 3,63±2,2) (Graphs 1 and 2 and Table 1).

In the free pairs the male showed alert and feeding patterns In the free pairs the male showed alert and feeding patterns more frequently than in the forced pairs and this could increase more frequently than in the forced pairs and this could increase his own possibilities of survival as well as the female ones. At the his own possibilities of survival as well as the female ones. At the same time, when the female is choosing a more vigilant male she same time, when the female is choosing a more vigilant male she is also increasing her time to feed and improving her body is also increasing her time to feed and improving her body condition, having more chances to store reserves to use in eggs condition, having more chances to store reserves to use in eggs production and incubation, maximising reproductive success. Our production and incubation, maximising reproductive success. Our result are in accordance with HAMILTON and ZUK (1982), result are in accordance with HAMILTON and ZUK (1982), DAHLGREN (1990), BEANI and DESSÌ-FULGHERI (1995) and DAHLGREN (1990), BEANI and DESSÌ-FULGHERI (1995) and FUSANI et al. (1997).FUSANI et al. (1997).

BIBLIOGRAPHYBEANI, L.; DESSÌ-FULGHERI, F. (1995). Mate choice in the grey BEANI, L.; DESSÌ-FULGHERI, F. (1995). Mate choice in the grey partridge, partridge, Perdix perdixPerdix perdix: role of physical and behavioural male : role of physical and behavioural male traits. Anim. Behav. 49: 347-356.traits. Anim. Behav. 49: 347-356.

DALHGREN, J. (1990). Females choose vigilant males: an DALHGREN, J. (1990). Females choose vigilant males: an experiment with the monogamous grey partridge, experiment with the monogamous grey partridge, Perdix perdixPerdix perdix. . Anim. Behav. 39: 646-651. Anim. Behav. 39: 646-651.

FUSANI, L.; BEANI, L.; LUPO, C.; DESSÌ-FULGHERI (1997). Sexually FUSANI, L.; BEANI, L.; LUPO, C.; DESSÌ-FULGHERI (1997). Sexually selected vigilance behaviour of the grey partridge is affected by selected vigilance behaviour of the grey partridge is affected by plasma androgen levels.plasma androgen levels.

HAMILTON, W.D.; ZUK, M. (1982). HAMILTON, W.D.; ZUK, M. (1982). Heritable true fitness and Heritable true fitness and bright birds: a role for parasites?. Science 218: 384-387.bright birds: a role for parasites?. Science 218: 384-387.

PIPINTOS, NTOS, R.R.; BRAZA, F.; ALVAREZ, F.; BRAZA, F.; ALVAREZ, F. ( (19851985). E). Etograma de latograma de la perdiz roja (perdiz roja (Alectoris rufaAlectoris rufa)) en libertad en libertad. . Doñana, Acta Vertebrata, Doñana, Acta Vertebrata, 12 (2): 231-250.12 (2): 231-250.

PRIETO, R. (2003). Emparejamiento libre y forzado en perdiz roja PRIETO, R. (2003). Emparejamiento libre y forzado en perdiz roja ((Alectoris rufaAlectoris rufa). Tesina de licenciatura). Tesina de licenciatura. Univ. de León. 128 pp.

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Photo 1: Free choice pairing system cages.Photo 1: Free choice pairing system cages.

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Photo Photo 33: : Daily viedo recordingDaily viedo recording..

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MMeedd ±± SStt ..DDvv MMeedd ±± SStt ..DDvv FF PP

TTiimmee ttooggeetthheerr 11445599,,88±±442211,,66 11882200,,55±±332200,,88 77,,44 ** GGrroooommiinngg TTiimmee 9911,,44±±9900,,44 116666,,44±±115544,,33 22,,88 GGrroooommiinngg 66,,44±±55,,77 77,,99±±55,,66 00,,66 GGrroooommiinngg tthhee 22 00,,77±±11,,00 11,,1199±±11,,77 11,,11 DDuusstt BBaatthh 00,,11±±00,,55 00±±00 11,,11 NNeeuuttrraall ppoossttuurree 1122,,99±±55,,66 1111,,99±±55,,11 00,,33 NNeeuuttrraall ppoossttuurree tthhee 22 11,,77±±22,,22 22,,11±±11,,77 00,,44 RReesstt iinngg 11,,22±±22,,55 22,,88±±33,,88 22,,11 RReesstt iinngg tthhee 22 00,,22±±00,,88 00,,44±±00,,77 00,,55 DDrriinnkkiinngg 11,, 66±±11,,55 11,,44±±11,,55 00,,11 DDrriinnkkiinngg tthhee 22 00,,22±±00,,44 00,,11±±00,,33 00,,22 PPeecckkiinngg 8822,,77±±2288,,55 4499,,66±±1144,,33 1177,,33 ****** PPeecckkiinngg tthhee 22 2233,,11±±1122,,33 1100,,77±±44,,44 1144,,44 ****** CCoommee ttoo ppeecckk 66±±33,,99 11,,99±±11,,88 1133,,99 ****** FFoolllloowwiinngg 88±±55,,77 33,,66±±22,,22 88,,44 **** AAlleerrtt 4433,,55±±2200,,11 1188,,22±±99,,66 2200,,77 ****** AAlleerrtt tthhee 22 33,,77±±33 11,,44±±11,,66 77,,11 ** AAggggrreessssiioonn 00±±00 00,,44±±11,,00 22,,11 CCoouurrttsshhiipp 99,,66±±88,,22 55,,77±±99,,33 11,,66 CCooppuullaatt iinngg 00,,66±±00,,99 00,,11±±00,,55 22,,99 NNeesstt iinngg 22±±22,,00 00,,11±±00,,33 1144,,33 ****** NNeesstt iinngg tthhee 22 00,,44±±00,,66 00±±00 55,,99 **