Species such as the chukar; small-egged, skittish game birds that need quiet.
The Partridge is a game bird, and its eggs hatch in about 24 days, with a normal window of days 23-25. Incubation difficulty is rated Advanced. Below you'll find the temperature, humidity, turning, candling and hatching steps for this species.
In a forced-air (fan) incubator, hold the temperature steady at 37.4-37.6 °C and target 50-55% relative humidity in the first stage. Verify the readout with a reliable digital thermometer and hygrometer.
Turn the eggs an odd number of times per day, 5 times, so the embryo doesn't stick to the shell. Recommended candling days: 7, 14, 21. In a dark room, hold the egg to a strong light; a vein network and movement show fertility, and clear eggs should be removed.
On day 21, stop turning (lockdown), raise humidity to 65-70% and keep the incubator closed as much as possible. Hatching is expected on days 23-25; once chicks start pipping the shell, be patient, as hatching can take hours.
Leave the chicks in the incubator until their down dries and they perk up, then move them to a brooder kept at 35 °C for the first week, lowering the heat by about 3 °C each week. Provide clean water and quality starter feed at all times.
Partridge eggs hatch in about 24 days; most hatch between days 23 and 25.
In a forced-air incubator, 37.4–37.6 °C with 50–55% humidity; in the last few days (lockdown) raise the humidity to 65–70%.
Candle on days 7, 14, 21 and remove clear or non-developing eggs at these checks.
Stop turning on day 21, then raise the humidity and keep the incubator closed until the chicks hatch.
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