Gnat S., Dziedzic R., Nowakiewicz A., Zięba P., Trościańczyk A., Majer-Dziedzic B., Ziółkowska G., Beeger S., Wójcik M.Effect of balanced supplementary feeding in winter on qualitative and quantitative changes in the population of microbes colonizing the rumen of red deer Summary Ruminants are a group of animals that process and assimilate their food in a unique manner. The functioning of the digestive tract of these animals is closely related to the abundance and composition of microbes in the forestomach, which is a complex ecosystem of bacteria, protozoa and fungi. Microorganisms present in the rumen, and in particular their effect on physiological processes in the body, influence the animal's physical condition and state of health. Microbiological examination of rumen microbiota ecology is hindered by a lack of selective growth media, as well as by difficulties in isolating bacteria in vitro and accurately identifying them. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of food consumed by red deer (Cervus elaphus) on the diversity of their rumen microbiota. Microbes were compared in two study periods. In autumn the animals' diet came exclusively from natural plant sources, while in winter, supplementary feeding was introduced, including specially prepared fodder. The study showed that in deer that did not receive the special fodder in winter, but only natural plant components, the abundance of bacterial flora decreased significantly compared with what it was in autumn, unlike in animals that did receive the fodder, whose composition and caloric value substantially increased the activity of rumen microbes. In winter, changes in proportions of different morphological forms of rumen bacteria were observed, as well as a decline in their total number, particularly in the animals that did not receive the pellets. A similar decline was also observed in the populations of yeasts and protozoa in winter. To sum up the results of the study, the use of the specially prepared high-calorie fodder in winter was shown to influence the rumen ecosystem of red deer. The most significant factor improving the condition of deer receiving supplementary fodder during this period is the stabilization of bacterial flora in the rumen, which directly contributes to the efficiency of digestion.

The aim of the study was to analyze the ritual of territorial vocalization of pheasant cocks. The research aim was to determine whether the duration of the ritual of the territorial vocalization of pheasant cocks depends on the season of the year or whether it is an individual feature. The work was performed based on the analysis of film recordings of 7 male pheasants recorded in the Bystrzyca Valley in Lublin (Poland). Several-minute recordings were made from April 19 to June 27, 2018 in the morning (around 6: 00-8: 00). The characteristic for the species ritual vocalization were divided into four phases. The study concluded that the average duration of individual phases of ritual vocalization in individual birds varies and is an individual value. The number flaps of the wings before and after the vocalization varies depending on the cock and is bird-specific, and depends to a small extent on the month of observation.

SummaryThis study compared pheasant roosters living in a natural habitat (n = 10), where farm-bred birds had not been released for 7 years (hence the wild-living birds were assumed to have been determined exclusively by environmental conditions),. The other group (n = 10) comprised farmed pheasant roosters. In December 2010, the pheasants were hunted, and biometric measurements of some traits were performed. After dissection, the muscles, bones, organs, and gastrointestinal tract were weighed, and the length of the intestines was measured. It was shown that the farmed pheasants had a significantly higher body weight (1583 g and 1407 g), which was mainly related to the higher fat content (144 g and 30 g). The farmed roosters had shorter rectrices. The heart-to-body weight and liver-to-body weight ratios, i.e. 0.6% and 1.9% respectively, were the same in both groups. No differences were found between the groups in terms of the weight of the pectoral, limb, and wing muscles, but the farmed roosters had heavier leg and wing bones. The length of the intestines per 100 g body weight was 10.5 cm in the farmed roosters and 13.3 cm in the free-living birds. Statistical analysis of variance was performed, and the differences between the groups were verified with the Mann-Whitney test. The farmed pheasants were shown to differ only slightly from the free-living birds from the natural habitat; hence, they are suitable for reintroduction.

We developed an algorithm to classify brown hares into two age classes, juveniles (up to 1 year old) and adults (over 1 year old), based on body weight, which can be determined by both the examination of live animals and postmortem analysis. Considering the strong correlation between lens weight and carcass weight, we assumed that hares could be classified into one of the two age groups based only on carcass weight, using a logistic regression model. Using logistic regression, a model was constructed to assess the age of hares based on their body weight. For comparison with the current age-assessment method based on the dry lens weight, a logistic regression classifying the hares based on the dry lens weight was performed as well. The results of the study facilitated the development of a method to classify hares into age groups based on body weight. The proposed approach is innovative, as it allows for the determination of the age of not only culled (postmortem) but also live hares. The method is easy and does not require laboratory tests; hence, the results can be used immediately following evaluation. This method allows hares to be categorized into two age groups (juveniles and adults). With an accuracy of 97.52% and 95.45% in the case of juvenile and adult hares, respectively, the proposed approach can be widely used both in population management and scientific research.

This study presents the hematological and serum biochemical values of physically captured roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). The study material was blood sampled from roe deer captured with the use of a specialist trap mesh and no anesthesia. Blood samples were collected from 122 roe deer from January to April in 2016, 2017, and 2018 in the Lublin region of Poland. The hematological and biochemical variables were determined with results showing statistically significant differences between the mean values of RBC, HCT, and HB according to sex. Reference intervals should be more specific to the broad physical versus chemical capture categories.