Four key points to master in partridge farming

1. Breeding characteristics: adult male partridges weigh 0.75 kg, females 0.6 kg. Artificially raised partridges can lay more than 80 eggs per year, with a fertilization rate of 85%, an incubation period of 18 days, and a hatchability of up to 90%.

2. Selection of breeding partridges: female partridges used for breeding must be strong, well-proportioned, with glossy feathers, lively and active, bright-eyed, with a small neck and a head shape that slopes back. Male partridges are tall, with a large head, broad breast, dark plumage, orange-red legs and claws, and are pugnacious. At 12 weeks of age, male partridges should reach a body weight of 0.60-0.75 kg, and females 0.5-0.55 kg. 3. Feeding management 1. Choice of cages and sites: cages can be adapted to local conditions; depending on the scale of rearing, box-type cages with a small exercise yard or house-type cages with a large exercise yard may be used. The exercise yard should be enclosed with nylon netting or wire netting, with several perches inside, and drainage ditches dug around the site to keep it dry. Net cages can be used for brooding, while ground rearing is used for growing and adult birds. 2. Management: chicks are very sensitive to temperature, so attention must be paid to cold protection and warmth. The temperature at 1 week of age is 37-35°C, then decreased by 2-3°C each week. The suitable temperature for growing partridges is 22-20°C, and for adult partridges 25-18°C. Rearing density: 60-70 birds per sq m at 1 week of age, bathed once at 4 weeks. 3. Feed and feeding methods: (1) Feed The commonly used feed formula for partridges is: grains (corn, etc.) 60%, legumes 20%, animal feed (fish meal, etc.) 5%, green vegetables 5%, minerals 3%, sand 2%. (2) Feeding methods Chicks begin feeding 12-24 hours after hatching; it is best to mix 0.1 g of yeast powder and 0.1 g of calcium phosphate into the feed. For initial feeding, the feed can be scattered directly on plastic or newspaper to let the chicks feed freely, 4 times a day. If hatched by a female partridge, the chicks can be fed for the first two days on the "milk" secreted from the crop of the parent bird; if the parent bird is unwilling to brood, artificial feeding must be used. Partridges with chicks need only be fed twice during the day, and clean drinking water should be provided. 4. Disease prevention and control: partridge houses should be disinfected regularly; any abnormalities should be checked promptly; Newcastle disease immunization should be carried out at the appropriate time; and chronic respiratory disease, blackhead disease, coccidiosis, pullorum disease, etc. should be prevented and treated.