The effect of rearing experience on subsequent behavioural traits in Hawaiian geese Branta sandvicensis: implications for the recovery programme
-
Published source details
Marshall A.P. & Black J.M. (1992) The effect of rearing experience on subsequent behavioural traits in Hawaiian geese Branta sandvicensis: implications for the recovery programme. Bird Conservation International, 2, 131-147.
Published source details Marshall A.P. & Black J.M. (1992) The effect of rearing experience on subsequent behavioural traits in Hawaiian geese Branta sandvicensis: implications for the recovery programme. Bird Conservation International, 2, 131-147.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
| Action | Category | |
|---|---|---|
|
Artificially incubate and hand-rear wildfowl in captivity Action Link |
 |
-
Artificially incubate and hand-rear wildfowl in captivity
A replicated, controlled ex situ study in western England in 1990 (Marshall & Black 1992) found that Hawaiian geese (nene) Branta sandvicensis raised by parents were more dominant, more vigilant, more wary of a potential predator (a domestic dog Canis familiaris) and integrated into the adult flock sooner than goslings raised with limited or no contact with adults. Gosling growth rate and final body size were not affected by rearing regime. A total of 42 goslings were tested: 12 were reared in an outdoor pen adjacent to a pen with a pair of adult geese, allowing interaction from 16-30 days after hatching; eleven chicks reared in a large outdoor pen with no adults present; nine chicks were raised in three groups, in sight of adults for the first 14 days after hatching; ten chicks in four groups were reared by parents in either a large pen with 90 other geese, or a small pen with just the family present.
