Protection of free-ranging Aigamo ducks from injurious animals
2012
Takayama, K. | Shimabukuro, S. | Yoshida, M. | Akai, K. | Nakanishi, Y.
The objective of this study was to establish effective methods to reduce the numbers of Aigamo ducks injured by wild animals (especially, Japanese weasel: Mustela itatsi) in rice-duck farming. Two experiments were carried out. The first experiment was conducted to test the behavioural response of Mustela itatsi to 3 types of protection fences: Fence E comprised of electric wires (2 - stage wires with 10-15 cm intervals in the height: voltage and pulse interval, approximately 3,000V and 1s, respectively). Fence E+N comprised of electric wires and synthetic fiber net (120 cm in height). Fence E+N+S comprised of electric wires, synthetic fiber net and cheese cloth for shielding. Mustela itatsi touched the fences E and E+N with their lips getting an electric shock. However, the animals went into the Fences E and E+N and exhibited foraging behaviour for chicken meat that was left as an attractant there. On the other hand, no Mustela itatsi passed through the fence E+N+S during the experimental period. In the second experiment, the effects of Fence E+N+S on animal injury in the experimental corral for Aigamo ducks were investigated. Japanese weasel (Mustela itatsi), Japanese badger (Meles meles anakuma), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) and domestic cat (Felis catus) were observed near the experimental corral, and there was no damage over the experimental period. However, Aigamo ducks were predated by a large raptorial, northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis). These findings indicated that the Fence E+N+S for shield vision was one of the most effective facilities to protect free-ranging Aigamo ducks from injurious animals.
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