The report describes a method for assessing the exposure and effects of environmental contaminants on gallinaceous chicks imprinted on bantam chicken (Gallus domesticus) hens. The method may be applicable for assessing the effects of many contaminants to which young, foraging gallinaceous chicks may be exposed, including agricultural chemicals and hazardous waste site contaminants. The method also may be used with a variety of habitats, experimental designs, and statistical analyses. The experimental design and types of measurement endpoints selected depends upon the purposes and the environmental conditions of the study. The report is based on methods developed during three field studies with organophosphorus pesticides in which the procedure was used successfully for comparing results to results from laboratory tests. It is recognized that many procedural modifications may be necessary to adapt to different experimental designs and that many improvements in the procedures are possible. The report does not establish Agency policy for conducting avian field studies, however, it does present a method for consideration for assessing the exposure and/or the direct and indirect effects of environmental contaminants to free-ranging gallinaceous chicks.