Detailed Explanation of Key Points in American Partridge Farming Technology
American partridge meat is tender and delicious, rich in nutrition, and is gradually entering the citizens' shopping baskets. From hatching to the specified age, partridges can reach an average live weight of about 500 grams. Generally, they can be marketed after 70 days of rearing, with a body weight of 350-400 grams and a feed-to-meat ratio of 3.5:1. The male-to-female ratio of breeding partridges is 1:2-5, and a female partridge lays 80-100 eggs per year. Generally, each commercial partridge sells for 15-20 yuan. Raising 1 commercial partridge can yield a net profit of 5-10 yuan. The American partridge farming technology is introduced as follows:
American Partridge Rearing Equipment
The equipment for raising partridges is similar to that for raising chickens. Since partridges can fly, floor-reared breeding partridges should be provided with a netted enclosure to prevent the partridges from escaping. At present, partridge rearing is mainly based on indoor cage rearing. Regardless of cage rearing or floor rearing, feed hoppers or small wooden troughs should be used to facilitate the feeding of young partridges. Small-sized chicken drinkers can be used as waterers.
1. Brooding cages: Brooding cages include single-layer or 3-layer iron cages. Each layer is 64 cm high, 66 cm wide, and 2 m long, divided into two compartments in the middle, each 1 m, and can hold 100 young partridges. The height of each layer's droppings board is 13 cm, the leg height is 42 cm, the mesh of the wire bottom net is 2 cm, and both sides use olive-shaped hard netting with a mesh of 1.5 cm * 1.5 cm. In the early stage, hemp cloth is added to the bottom of the net as bedding for rearing. After 7-10 days, the hemp cloth is removed and replaced with 1.5 cm X 1.5 cm diamond-shaped hard iron netting. Generally, infrared light bulbs are used for heat preservation, and multi-layer brooding cages with electric heating wires can also be used for heat preservation.
2. Grower partridge cages: Grower partridge cages are generally single cages with a length of 1.25 m, a height of 50 cm, and a width of 1.1 m. The mesh of the wire netting is 1.5 cm * 1.5 cm. After 50-60 days of age, the front and back of the cage are made into railings with No. 16 iron wire, with a spacing of 2.5 cm between each wire, so that grower partridges can stretch their heads out to drink water and feed.
3. Breeding partridge cages: Breeding partridge cages are layered iron cages, generally divided into 3 layers. Each layer has a droppings board. The bottom structure of the net is like that of laying hens in cages, tilting slightly outward. After laying eggs, the breeding eggs slide to the edge of the bottom net, making egg collection convenient. Each layer of the cage is divided into 3-4 compartments. Each compartment has a specification of 40 cm (length) * 35 cm (height) and can hold 4 partridges, that is, 1 male and 3 females. Another specification is 90 cm (length) * 40 cm (width) x 35 cm (height), holding 6-10 partridges, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:4-5. The front and back of the cage are made into railings with No. 15 iron wire, with a spacing of 2.5 cm between each wire, so as to facilitate feeding and drinking by breeding partridges. Breeding partridges can also be floor-reared. Generally, the indoor area of a floor-rearing house is 18-20 sq m, with an outside exercise yard, a net height of 2 m, wire netting on three sides, and iron netting or fishing netting on top, and can hold about 100 breeding partridges.
American Partridge Feed Formulation
1. Daily ration formula for young partridges: yellow corn 48%, wheat flour 3%, soybean cake 34%, imported fish meal 12%, bone meal 1%, shell meal 1.1%, salt 0.4%, additives 0.5%.
2. Daily ration formula for grower partridges: yellow corn 50%, wheat flour 5%, soybean cake 28%, bran 5%, imported fish meal 8%, bone meal 1.5%, shell meal 1.6%, salt 0.4%, additives 0.5%.
3. Daily ration formula for adult partridges: yellow corn 53%, wheat flour 11%, soybean cake 16%, bran 9%, imported fish meal 5%, bone meal 3%, shell meal 2.1%, salt 0.4%, additives 0.5%,
4. The amount of trace element and vitamin additives used for partridges should be 0.5-1 times higher than that for chickens. If partridges are raised on a small scale, complete pelleted chicken feed can be selected, and 5-10 grams of multivitamins per 50 kg of feed should be added to the feed. Trace elements should be added separately according to the manufacturer's instructions. Young partridges require the early addition of cooked eggs to increase protein.
5. Feeding amount: 1 week of age 6-8 grams, 2 weeks of age 8-12 grams, 3 weeks of age 12-18 grams, 4 weeks of age 14-20 grams, 5 weeks of age 16-23 grams, 6 weeks of age 20-25 grams, 7 weeks of age 23-28 grams, 8 weeks of age 26-29 grams, 9 weeks of age 28-30 grams, 10 weeks of age 30-32 grams, 11 weeks of age 32-33 grams, 12 weeks of age 33-34 grams, 13 weeks of age 34 grams. Allow the partridges free access to drinking water.