During cold and wet summers 0-8 d old chicks from small (2-6 chicks) Willow Grouse Lagopus lagopus lagopus broods grew faster and survived better than chicks from large broods (8-14 chicks). Chicks from large broods spent longer time being brooded by the hen and had consequently shorter time available for feeding than chicks from small broods. These results agree with the finding that cold and wet weather prevents sufficient food intake in Willow Grouse chicks.
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Erikstad et al. (1983) studied this question.
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