Effects of Polychlorinated Biphenyls on Pheasant Reproduction, Behavior, and Survival

Cock pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) were given single capsules weekly containing either 0 or 25 mg polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) for 17 weeks in the spring of 1970. Hen pheasants mated to these cock groups were given single capsules weekly containing 0, 12.5, or 50 mg PCB (Aroclor 1254). Among groups receiving PCB, egg production was depressed significantly (P < 0.05), and the number of eggs that were pipped but not hatched was increased significantly (P < 0.05). Even though weekly weight changes of hens, fertility and hatchability of eggs, mortality of adults, and eggshell thickness did not appear to be affected by PCB, total reproductive success was depressed. Behavior, on a visual cliff, of chicks hatched from hens given 50 mg weekly was significantly different (P < 0.01); more of them jumped to the visually deep side or made no choice of sides than chicks from other groups. Mortality of chicks from hatching to 6 weeks of age was significantly greater (P < 0.01) in the offspring of hens receiving 50 mg PCB weekly, and surviving chicks of this group were significantly lighter (P < 0.05) in weight than other groups at 6 weeks of age.