Artificial breeding of wild birds in Turkey: Partridge breeding case

Abstract

Human-related factors have led to a reduction in the number of birds in the wild. Different countries employ different methods to protect birds in the wild. The Turkish ministry of forests and water affairs has established stations for breeding pheasant, partridge and guinea fowl in different regions in Turkey. Approximately 100,000 birds were released from these stations in 2012. This study reports on various egg production and incubation traits of partridges bred at the Yozgat Partridge Breeding Station. Mean egg production of partridges was 49.7 eggs in 112 days; mean egg weight was 21.30 g; and hatchability was 54.91%. Egg production, egg weight and hatchability varied significantly by age (P<0.05).