Interesting insights on wild egg hatchability and chick survival in artificial and semi-natural settings: preliminary observations from a rock partridge (Alectoris graeca) ex-situ conservation program
Author(s)
Date Issued
2025
Type
conferenceObject
Abstract
The rock partridge (Alectoris graeca) is classified as Near Threatened in Europe and Vulnerable in Italy. In 2017, the Sibillini Mountains National Park, the Umbria Region, and the University of Tuscia initiated an ex situ conservation program through the captive rearing of individuals from wild-collected eggs (ISPRA auth. 28382/T-A31) aimed at reinforcing residual populations in the Apennines. However, standardized protocols for successfully transferring and incubating wild eggs of unknown incubation stage are still lacking.
Between June and July from 2017 to 2022, nine nests were located via VHF telemetry from radio-tagged bird. A total of 78 eggs were collected, stored in thermal bag (36–37 °C) and transferred to two breeding centers (La Starniana and Torre Certalda). Egg candling confirmed the fertility of 72 eggs.
In 2017–2018, 37 eggs were fully incubated under controlled conditions (37.6 °C, 80–83% RH) and hatched artificially. Chicks were reared in a heated room, under a heat lamp, with temperatures gradually reduced from 35 °C to 22 °C over 25 days. They were kept inside a circular fence for the first two weeks and then reared in open pens until 60 days post hatching (dph). In 2021–2022, 35 eggs were incubated artificially for 7 days, then transferred to hens (11–12 eggs/hen) for semi-natural hatching and parental rearing until 60 dph. All juveniles were later moved to outdoor aviaries.
A power surge during artificial incubation caused irreversible damage to 20 eggs. Of the 17 remaining, 6 hatched (35.3%). In contrast, semi-natural incubation yielded 31 chicks from 35 eggs (88.6%). Survival at 90 days post-hatching was 83.3% for those raised without hen and 90.3% for hen-reared chicks.
Preliminary results suggest that semi-natural incubation and rearing represent a more effective and reliable approach, supporting both high hatching success and early chick survival. Further specifically designed studies are recommended to optimize the protocols.
Keywords: Galliformes, incubation techniques, rearing methods, captive breeding, conservation management.
Conference(s)
15th National Conference on Biodiversity 2nd International Conference on Mediterranean Biodiversity