henry_o Posted May 18, 2015 Report Share Posted May 18, 2015 Hello all, How many weeks old are your partridges when you have your first shoot? We're getting ours a couple weeks later than normal this year but don't think it'll make a massive difference judging from the progress of previous birds. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drayton Posted June 3, 2015 Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 Hi, Usually between 16 and 18 weeks depending upon how well the birds have matured, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted June 7, 2015 Report Share Posted June 7, 2015 i just heard something about partridge the other day that i've never heard before, seemingly the birds can't really fly in/after the rain till around 22 weeks something to do with feather growth? Never heard of this before so not 100% it's correct. Anyone know?. Was speaking to an experienced gun who years ago shot on a shoot with Reds, flew brilliant in morning, heavy shower at lunch but nothing major, in afternoon birds literally coud not fly and just got to the edge of the flushing point and tumbled down the banking. I've never heard anything like this before and that was the keepers excuse that birds where slihtly too young althou flying well in morning. Ps I know most birds flying ability will be affected by rain but this was meant to be far more than that. I know when rearing duck young duck chicks can not go near water as rely on there mothers oil gland to make down waterproof. Possibly something similar in partridge a glad that does not work right till older? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted June 7, 2015 Report Share Posted June 7, 2015 From my experience wet Reds can't fly, or should I say, their ability to fly is very greatly impaired. I've had days where they have been flying brilliantly until the heavens have opened for a couple of hours and it becomes impossible for them to fly as they should. I won't let dogs in the beating line work on wet partridges as they are likely to pick up dozens of the soaking, shivering little things. I presume because of this the older the bird is, the stronger it is and it will be more able to cope with being soaked through. However, leave them a couple of hours to dry off and then they are fine. I didn't think that partridge had oiling glands, like ducks, so they do not have the ability to waterproof their feathers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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