Effects of lead nitrate ingestion on open-field behavior of mallard ducklings

Mallard ducklings were fed a control diet or a diet containing 5, 50, or 500 ppm lead as lead nitrate, ad libitum, and their open-field behavior was tested after either 3 or 8 days on treatments. Differences in open-field performances among treatments were not significant. Percentage weight gain differed significantly among treatment groups over an 8 day period, with the least growth occurring in the 5 ppm treatment group.