Differential behaviour and survival of hand-reared and wild grey partridge in the United Kingdom.

Abstract

Two hundred captive- reared grey partridge (Perdix perdix) poults were released onto an agricultural estate in southern England over a 2-year period from 1987 to 1988. Their behaviour and survival were compared to wild grey partridge in the same area. In the first month after release mortality of captive-reared birds was 4 times greater than wild birds. Partridge reared in brooder houses without parents suffered the highest mortality and spent more time close to or in vegetation cover than wild partridge or than those reared with parents or foster parents. Consequently brooder house reared partridge may be more vulnerable to ground predators which hunt close to or in areas of cover.