How to effectively improve the survival rate of partridge chicks in partridge farming

Raising partridge chicks is an extremely meticulous and important task in partridge farming. The quality of partridge chick rearing directly affects the growth and development of the partridges as well as the economic returns.

I. Preparation before brooding

1. Determine the brooding method

Before purchasing partridge chicks, the brooding method must be determined (that is, cage rearing or floor rearing), and then the brooding house should be arranged according to the planned number of birds to be raised.

2. Preparation of housing and equipment

The brooding house is required to have good insulation performance, be able to be ventilated as needed, not leak rain, have a dry floor, and be rat-proof. Comprehensively check whether the house leaks rain, whether the doors and windows are tight, and whether there are rat holes around it. Wire mesh must be added to the doors and windows to prevent the partridges from flying out of the house, and all rearing utensils should be prepared.

3. Disinfection of the site and utensils

3-5 days before the chicks arrive, the floor of the poultry house and all rearing utensils (drinkers, feed buckets, etc.) must be thoroughly cleaned. The disinfectants are 0.1% concentration benzalkonium bromide, 1:2000 Baidusha, and 2% sodium hydroxide. Then, after the floor dries, spread bedding or bedding cloth and place the brooding utensils into the house, and seal the doors and windows. According to the volume of the poultry house, fumigate and disinfect with 7 grams of potassium permanganate and 14 milliliters of formalin per cubic meter, keep it sealed until 24 hours before rearing, then open the doors and windows, drive off odors and gases, and then close the doors and windows again for later use.

II. Rearing environment

1. Temperature

Temperature is an important factor in the success or failure of brooding. Providing suitable temperature for partridge chicks can effectively increase the survival rate and accelerate growth and development. Improper high or low temperatures are stress factors that lead to disease. The temperature requirements of partridge chicks at different ages are shown in the table below. Partridge chicks are small, have relatively weak digestive function, eat little, and produce little heat, while their body surface area per unit is large, so they dissipate more heat and are easily affected by the external environment. Therefore, the house should be inspected frequently to observe the dynamics of the partridge flock and judge whether the temperature is suitable. When the temperature is suitable, the partridge chicks appear lively, are scattered within the brooder, and have a strong appetite; when the temperature is too high, the partridge chicks stay away from the heat source, reduce feed intake, increase water intake, breathe with their mouths open, and have loose droppings; when the temperature is too low, the partridge chicks squeeze each other, retract their necks, have reduced appetite, and crowd together under the heat source.

2. Humidity

Environmental humidity during brooding is very important for the growth of partridge chicks. If the humidity is too high, body surface heat dissipation becomes difficult, appetite is poor, and they are prone to illness; if the humidity is too low, the partridge chicks' feathers are dry, and they are prone to feather pecking, vent pecking, and toe pecking. The suitable humidity is 60-70% within 1 week of age, and 55-60% after one week.

3. Ventilation and air exchange

Partridge chicks grow quickly and have vigorous metabolism, so the house should have enough fresh air to allow the partridge chicks to grow quickly. On the premise of ensuring a certain temperature, appropriately open doors and windows for air exchange, but do not let the partridge chicks catch cold.

4. Density

The rearing density of partridges at different ages is: 80-100 birds per square meter from 1-10 days of age, 50-60 birds per square meter from 10 days to 4 weeks of age, and 30-35 birds per square meter from 4-13 weeks of age.

5. Lighting

Within one week after hatching, partridge chicks can be given full-time lighting. After one week, use 20 hours of lighting, and afterward reduce the lighting time as the age increases. The light should not be too strong, at 2 watts per square meter, otherwise vicious habits such as feather pecking, vent pecking, and toe pecking are likely to occur.

III. Scientific feeding and management

1. Drinking water

Before the partridge chicks are placed, prepare 0.1% oxytetracycline water first to promote the excretion of meconium. In addition, put stones in the drinker. On one hand, this can prevent the partridge chicks from soaking into the water and getting wet and sick; on the other hand, it can induce the partridge chicks to drink. The next day, water-soluble multivitamins or compound vitamin B solution, etc., can be used alternately to regulate the appetite of the partridge chicks.

2. First feeding

After the partridge chicks have drunk water, they can begin feeding. During initial training, the feed can be scattered on the bedding cloth to let the partridge chicks eat. After 2-3 days, gradually replace this with feed buckets. The feed buckets should be placed near the light so that the partridge chicks can see the feed. Partridge chicks from 1-3 days of age can be kept with feed available all day, and afterward they should be fed 3-4 times a day to enhance the feeding ability of the partridge chicks.

3. Beak trimming

If the density is not high during feeding and management, pecking vice can be avoided, and beak trimming is generally not done, because beak trimming causes great stress to partridges. If pecking vice occurs because the measures fail to meet requirements, it can be completed in one operation when the birds are transferred at 50 days of age.

IV. Immunization and disease prevention work

1. Set up a disinfection pool at the entrance and exit of the poultry house. Keepers entering the poultry house should change clothes, shoes, etc. Outsiders are strictly forbidden to enter the house.

2. Adhere to the all-in, all-out system. After the partridge chicks are raised and transferred, strict cleaning and disinfection must be carried out before new partridge chicks can be brought in.

3. Frequently wash drinkers and frequently change bedding or bedding cloth, which helps prevent disease. In many years of brooding practice, according to the disease characteristics of partridge chicks at different stages, a reasonable set of preventive medication and immunization procedures can be formulated.