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A Complete Guide to Partridge Food & Care
Partridges—both the native grey partridge and the popular red-legged partridge—are valued game birds across the UK, whether for sporting estates or smallholdings. Rearing partridges successfully means understanding their unique nutritional needs and providing the right care at every stage of life. This guide covers feeding, housing, and health tips to help your partridges thrive.
Key Nutritional Needs
Partridges require a balanced, protein-rich diet—especially as chicks—to support rapid growth, feather development, and strong immunity. Their dietary needs evolve as they mature, with a focus on protein early on and a balanced maintenance feed for adults.
- Protein: Essential for chick growth and feathering
- Vitamins & Minerals: Important for bone strength, immunity, and egg production in breeding birds
- Grit: Supports digestion, especially for penned or non-free-ranging birds
Types of Feed by Life Stage
Starter Crumb (0–4 weeks):
- Fine, high-protein crumb (24–26%) designed for small chicks
- Fortified with vitamins and minerals for healthy early growth
Grower Pellets (4–10 weeks):
- Slightly larger pellet, moderate protein (18–20%)
- Supports steady development and feather quality
Adult/Breeder Pellets (10+ weeks):
- Maintenance or breeder feed (14–16% protein) for mature birds
- Breeder diets have extra calcium and nutrients for laying hens
Grit & Supplements:
- Always offer insoluble grit for digestion
- Mineral or vitamin supplements may be useful during stress or breeding
How to Feed
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Frequency:
- Chicks: Feed little and often (3–4 times daily)
- Older birds: 1–2 times daily
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Quantity:
- Follow feed manufacturer guidelines, adjusting for bird size and activity
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Water:
- Fresh, clean water must always be available
- Use shallow drinkers for chicks to prevent drowning
Housing & General Care
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Space:
- Partridges need plenty of space to prevent stress and feather pecking
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Shelter:
- Dry, draught-free housing with good ventilation and predator protection
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Enrichment:
- Scatter a little feed to encourage natural foraging and reduce boredom
Health & Biosecurity
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Cleanliness:
- Clean feeders and drinkers daily, and keep bedding fresh
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Worming & Parasites:
- Regular health checks and worming recommended, especially for ground-kept birds
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Biosecurity:
- Limit contact with wild birds and rodents to reduce disease risk
Common Feeding Mistakes & FAQs
- Mistake: Feeding layers pellets to chicks (protein too low for growth)
- Mistake: Not providing grit, leading to digestive issues
- Mistake: Overfeeding treats, causing imbalanced diets
FAQs:
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Can I feed partridges chicken feed?
Not ideal—partridges need higher protein, especially as chicks. -
How long should partridges be on starter crumb?
Usually up to 4 weeks, then transition to grower pellets. -
Do partridges need grit?
Yes, particularly if not free-ranging.
Product Recommendations & Internal Links
Browse our full range of partridge feeds, suitable for every life stage. We also stock grit, supplements, and essentials to keep your birds healthy and thriving.