Effects of Phenyl Mercury on Captive Game Farm Pheasants

Effects of phenyl mercury acetate administered to captive game farm pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) hens in both capsule and feed form were investigated. Total mercury level in hens given 20 mg Hg/kg body weight in capsules rose sharply in kidney, liver, and ovarian follicle samples. Soon after administration, these levels decreased rapidly, approaching control levels 2 weeks after administration. Compared to control birds, hens treated with 20 mg Hg/kg body weight in capsules showed significant decreases in egg hatchability, eggshell thickness, chick weight, and chick survivability (P < 0.05) but there were no significant differences in egg production, egg volume, fertility, or chick behavior (P > 0.05). Hens fed wheat ad libitum which had been treated with phenyl mercury fungicide at the normal field rate showed highest total mercury levels in kidney tissues, lowest in muscle tissues. Compared to controls, this group had no significant differences in any of the parameters tested. We concluded that low amounts of phenyl mercury in the diet are not harmful to game farm pheasants.