Relative toxicity of lead and selected substitute shot types to game farm mallards

Harold D. Irby; Louis N. Locke; George E. Bagley

doi:10.2307/3798314

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Relative toxicity of lead and selected substitute shot types to game farm mallards

Harold D. Irby·Louis N. Locke·George E. Bagley

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Abstract

The acute toxicity of lead, three types of plastic-coated lead, two lead-magnesium alloys, iron, copper, zinc-coated iron, and molybdenum-coated iron shot were tested in year-old male game farm mallards. Mallards ( Anus platyrhynchos ) were fed eight number 6 shot of each type and observed for a period of 60 days. Ducks used totaled 230 and most shot types were tested in three replicates of 8 ducks each. Mortality and losses of body weight were the criteria used for judging toxicity. Three types of plastic-coated lead shot were as toxic (93 percent) as the commercial lead shot (96 percent). The average mortality in mallards fed lead-magnesium alloy shot was less (58 percent) than that occurring in birds fed commercial lead shot. Mortality among mallards fed iron, copper, zinc-coated iron or molybdenum-coated iron shot was significantly less than in birds fed lead shot, and was not significantly greater than the conrtols.

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Journal of Wildlife Management Article

Source-reported bounding extent: 37.912563° to 42.26986° latitude; -80.519405° to -74.689516° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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Harold D. Irby, Louis N. Locke, George E. Bagley. 1967. Relative toxicity of lead and selected substitute shot types to game farm mallards. https://doi.org/10.2307/3798314

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