Primary feather molt and serum luteinizing hormone concentration in chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) during a photoperiodically induced molt with or without fasting.

Abstract

In two experiments, 135 adult chukar partridge of two genetic lines, one selected for high egg production and a random-bred control line, were induced to molt by reducing photoperiod from 16 hr light/day to 8 hr light/day on Day 0. In Experiment 1, feed was removed from approximately half the birds on Day 0 and returned on Day 7. Birds in Experiment 2 were not fasted. Photoperiod was increased to 16 hr light/day on Day 56. Primary feather molt scores, body weights, and, in Experiment 2, serum luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were monitored weekly through Day 85. Prior to the short day period, birds selected for high egg production and females had lower molt scores than controls or males, respectively. Fasting had no effect on molt scores, egg production, or body weights (except during the fasting period). Selected-line birds returned to lay approximately 3 days earlier and laid approximately 16 more eggs during the second production period than controls. Six days before photoperiod was reduced, immunoreactive serum LH levels were 5 to 8 ng/ml; they declined during short days to about 4 ng/ml. Within 8 days after relighting, LH levels increased to approximately 33 ng/ml in males and 18 ng/ml in females. Luteinizing hormone levels remained elevated in males throughout the subsequent 4 weeks but declined in females as egg production resumed.