Sharing Experience in Partridge Chick Rearing and Management
The partridge is a special rare bird with relatively high economic value. In recent years, partridge breeding has increased year by year, but some breeders, especially new breeders, still lack experience in chick rearing and management. The rearing experience of our farm is introduced as follows:
(1) Rearing during the first 3 days after hatching. The temperature of the hatching room should be kept at 36-38°C, and the humidity at 50%-70%. When the down gradually dries and the chicks can stand and walk on both feet, transfer them to the brooder room (box). The brooder box can be made 2 m × 1 m × 0.4 m, with a layer of clean waste blanket or gunny sack laid on the bottom (never use fiber-type materials). The temperature of the brooder room should reach 36°C. On the first day, give 0.01% potassium permanganate water or 0.02% oxytetracycline water (note: give it for the whole day, preferably boiled cooled water). On the second day, give glucose water. In the afternoon, some chick feed can be scattered on the waste blanket or hard paper to let the chicks peck freely.
(2) Temperature. The temperature of the brooder room must not be lower than 36°C. If the chicks in the box do not huddle, have plenty of space for free movement, feed and drink on their own, and chase and play, this indicates the temperature is suitable; otherwise, the temperature is too low. Two 60-watt bulbs should be hung 15 cm from the bottom of the box. One is for warmth, and the other is to increase light duration.
(3) Check frequently. At this time, because the partridges have hatched not long ago, their functional regulation ability is poor, they are gregarious and like to huddle and sleep, are timid and easily startled, and are most prone to being crushed to death or injury. Partridges also have the bad habits of pecking red (blood), pecking the weak, and pecking the anus. Once an injured bird is found, it should be moved away immediately and isolated for separate rearing.
(4) Disease prevention. At 7 days of age, partridges should receive their first vaccination, using chicken Newcastle disease strain II attenuated freeze-dried vaccine, diluted 1:1 with sterile water for intranasal administration. At 30 days of age, carry out the second vaccination with low-virulence live vaccine. Method: first withhold water for 2-3 hours, then use chicken Newcastle disease strain I attenuated freeze-dried vaccine mixed with water for drinking (the instructions are on the medicine), or it can be injected intramuscularly.
(5) Leaving the box. At 7 days of age, the chicks can leave the box (be sold) or be transferred to ordinary indoor rearing, with some rice husks placed on the ground. Hang one or two 60-watt bulbs not high above the ground. When the weather suddenly turns cold, heat preservation measures should be taken indoors. After 30 days, the partridges' ability to seek food increases, and their body weight increases noticeably. At this time, the ecology is basically stable, and the survival rate is high. Some sand should be placed in the feed trough to let them eat it naturally. Partridges molt three times from birth to 90 days of age, so high-quality complete feed and green feed are required to ensure comprehensive nutrition.