Evaluation of different presentation ́s acceptance of an oral contraceptive in eared doves.

Abstract

Eared doves (Zenaida auriculata) may cause up to 50% of losses in some damaged crops. The objective of this study was to measure a contraceptive bait (nicarbazin pellets 0,5%) acceptance by Eared Doves in individual cages (10 birds/treatments). After quarantine and an adaptation period to the cages, the bait (nicarbazin pellets 0,5%) was offered to the doves for four hours per day for 21 consecutive days in three formulations (treatments) according to the bait: (1) OvoControlS® developed for sparrows; (2) OvoControlS® mixed with cracked corn in a 78:22 ratio; (3) was offered the corresponding bait treatment, cracked OvoControlP® elaborated for rock pigeon (Columba livia). Every morning each bird was offered the bait of the treatment, and in the afternoon a maintenance diet was offered in the same amount and daily consumption was registered. The average consumption/week of OvoControlS® and OvoControlS® with corn was less than 1.0g. Cracked OvoControlP® bait was accepted by birds. The consume increased in weeks 2 and 3 (p<0.05), exceeding 1.0 g average/ week and was higher than the other formulations (p<0.05). It can be concluded that this treatment was accepted and consumed by eared doves in captivity in amounts that could cause an effect on this species reproduction.