engleski

Caponisation of pheasants at different age – preliminary results

The effects of caponisation on live weight, weight gain and carcass characteristics of pheasants were examined. Eighty pheasants reared in feathered game nurseries were included in experiment. The birds were castrated at 8 or 12 weeks of age. The age of castration up to 12 weeks showed complete testicular regeneration while when castration was performed at 8 weeks of age testicular regeneration reached 25%. Pheasant capons showed lower live weights but higher dressing percentages than pheasants. Weight and weight gain of pheasant capons were increased till December. Blood plasma values showed significantly higher levels (p < 0.01) of Ca, total protein and albumin for pheasant capons but these differences were related to composition of feed mixtures. We concluded that pheasant capons fed high protein diet represents better commercial product than pheasant reared as game animals but that more studies under different feeding conditions and alternative breeding systems are necessary to clarify the effects of caponisation of pheasants and to justify production.

pheasant; pheasant capons; live weight; weight gain; blood parameters

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