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PRAIRIE CHICKEN CONSERVATION


OUR MISSION IS TO HELP THE PRAIRIE CHICKEN BY FINANCIALLY HELPING
RANCHERS/LANDOWNERS CREATE MORE HABITAT AND PROTECT LEKS/BOOMING GROUNDS.

Courtesy Dr. Reichart
Courtesy Dr. Reichart



PRAIRIE CHICKENS, THE ORIGINAL BOOMERS

When prairie chickens gather each year on their leks or “booming grounds”, they
perform unique and entertaining dances complete with booming calls that can be
heard up to 1.5 miles away. Once, millions of these birds inhabited the midwest,
but over the years their numbers have declined, leading one of the species to
extinction.


SPECIES

There are four remaining species of prairie chickens in the United States,
Greater Prairie Chicken, the Lesser Prairie Chicken, Attwater’s Prairie Chicken,
and the Sharp-tailed Grouse. The Heath Hen went extinct in 1932. According to
the U.S. Fish & Wildlife service, the Attwater’s Prairie Chicken is considered
one of the most endangered birds in North America.


THE DANCE

Prairie Chickens are most known for their dance which is referred to as
“booming”. Each year in the spring, male prairie chickens gather on their leks
to compete for female attention and show dominance by stomping their feet and
inflating the colorful air sacs along their necks. As they dance they emit low,
long hums punctuated by clucks and cackles. Most prairie chickens will return to
the same lek year after year.


RAISING YOUNG

The vast majority of prairie chicken hens will lay their eggs within 2 miles of
the booming grounds. They seek out nesting sites with tall, dense vegetation
that are surrounded by shorter vegetation. This habitat allows the prairie
chickens to hide their nests but still see approaching predators. The difference
in vegetation height is also useful for raising their young. The denser brush
can offer hiding and protection while the shorter, less dense brush is easier
for a chick to move through as they search for food. Chicks will stay with their
mothers for 3 months. Typically, less than half of prairie chicken nests will
hatch as predation is common.


CONSERVATION

Prairie chickens benefit from a diversity of vegetation. It’s important for them
to have areas of shorter grasses for their leks so its easier for females to see
and select a potential mate. As such, many prairie chickens are found in
grasslands where vegetation has been kept short by haying and/or grazing.

The type of grazing practices that a rancher or land-owner implement can greatly
impact the plants grown in an area. While shorter grasses are important for
booming grounds, having small areas of taller vegetation near the booming
grounds is important for hens to hide their eggs and protect chicks.


CULTIVATING LAND THAT’S GOOD FOR PRAIRIE CHICKENS AND LIVESTOCK

 * Keep 30-50% of lands within 1 mile of leks as suitable nesting ground for
   prairie chickens
 * In preferential nesting ground areas, pastures should be stocked at low to
   moderate rates to create different levels of height and density in
   vegetation.
 * Avoid excessive litter on the ground which provides shelter for rodents and
   beckons predators to populate the area.
 * Leave standing dead vegetation through the winter to help females in
   selecting upcoming nest sites.
 * Use rotational grazing at moderate stocking rates or patch-burn-grazing to
   encourage diverse plant species, densities, and heights.
 * Remove smooth bromegrass from brooding areas. This plant can cause chickens
   to get wet and freeze to death. Instead, grow native bunch grasses and widely
   spaced rhizomatous grasses to provide a better habitat for chicks.

Courtesy Dr. Reichart
Courtesy Dr. Reichart
Courtesy Dr. Reichart
Courtesy Dr. Reichart


PARTICIPATE

Ranchers and land owners can contact their local Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS) office for technical and financial assistance to address
prairie-chicken habitat needs through certain range management practices.

 * Greater Prairie Chickens in the Sandhills - Information and guide to land
   types in the Sandhills as they relate to the Greater Prairie Chicken.
   Includes monitoring practices and data sheet starting on page 16.
 * Greater Prairie Chickens and Grazing - Article from the NRCS (National
   Resources Conservation Service)
 * Lesser Prairie Chicken Initiative Conservation Practices - Learn about
   conservation practices that can improve the health of your rangeland while
   supporting the conservation of the Lesser Prairie Chicken.
 * Lesser Prairie Chicken Initiative Website
 * Attwater’s Prairie Chicken Management Guidelines
 * Resource Management for Attwater’s Prairie Chicken
 * Sharp-tailed Grouse Information and Habitat Management


ABOUT US

Prairie Chickens Forever seeks to increase awareness and knowledge of the
prairie chicken while helping ranchers and landowners voluntarily enhance
prairie chicken habitat by improving the long-term sustainability of their ag
operations.


GIVE TODAY

Donate Now


YOU CAN ALSO SEND A CHECK TO:

29610 175th Rd Kearney, NE 66847


HOW YOUR DONATION IS USED

 * Provide money to ranchers and farmers to help offset maintenance costs
 * Provide income lost to ranchers choosing to voluntarily diminish their
   livestock numbers
 * Preserve Prairie Chicken nesting areas


CONTACT

Email keith@prairiechickensforever.com to find out how you can help or if your
property qualifies.

©2021 Prairie Chickens Forever | All Rights Reserved | Website developed by
Hollman Media
Prairie Chickens Forever is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Your donation
is tax deductible under the fullest extent of the law.