Highland feed trial delivers for partridge

Tailored nutrition programme

A feed trial for partridge in the Highlands has delivered measurable improvements in bird condition and flight performance, according to Aberdeenshire-based Spratt’s Game Foods, which plans to launch a new feed range on the back of the results.

Working with poultry nutritionist Ralph Bishop of Premier Nutrition, Louise Fotheringham, specialist nutritionist at Spratt’s, developed a tailored feeding programme for a prestigious partridge shoot operating at altitude in the Highlands, where colder, wetter conditions and open heather moorland create a harder environment for partridge than lowland alternatives.

.

Improved bird performance

The trial, described as the first of its kind for partridge, introduced a high-density grower feed and adjusted feeding time periods at different stages of the birds’ development. It began with a single pen but after two weeks of driving the birds, the shoot manager moved his entire partridge flock onto the Spratt’s programme, having observed a clear improvement in how birds were flying and handling terrain, including committing to height over deep valleys.

“Precise nutrition makes all the difference to getting the best returns,” said Ms Fotheringham. “We looked at the variables the sporting business is contending with to tailor the feed, introducing a high-density grower and changing the time periods of feeding.”

.

Focus on gut health

Probiotics are included as standard across the Spratt’s range. Ms Fotheringham said supporting birds with a probiotic from day-old builds gut microbiome strength, improves nutrient absorption and reduces antibiotic use.