Chemical Composition of Growth in Nestling Rooks Corvus frugilegus

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Abstract
Changes were analyzed in concentration and total amounts in the dry body weight of such elements as N, S, P, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Mn, Co, Zn, Cd and Hg during a 30-day period of development of nestling rooks, C. frugilegus, taken from rook colonies established in villages located near Warsaw, Poland. Concentrations (mg g-1 dw [dry weight] and mg kg-1 dw) of Cd, Hg, Cu, Co and S did not vary over the peroid of nestling development. Concentrations of Zn and N increased with the age of nestling but this increase was not statistically significant. Concentrations of Mn, Fe, Na and K decreased with age. Concentrations of Ca, P and Mg increased with age of nestlings. The ratio of Ca:P concentrations increased with nestling growth. Total amounts (in mg) of all these elements, except for Mn, increased with nestling age as the dry body weight increased. Changes in the total amounts and concentrations of the study elements in the body of nestling rooks were related to the role of particular elements in growing organisms.