Nesting type choice in the red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa)

In order to avoid the decrease in the numbers of wild red-legged partridge, Alectoris rufa, observed in several areas, the most appropriate solution i s to repopulate using animals from game farms. the nesting place chosen by 30 pairs of red-legged partridge in captivity was studied. There were five different nest types combined in groups of three in 30 cases. Type A nest: made with natural bush plants tied together at one end and placed invertedl y forming a cone. Type B: made with the same natural bush plants as the pre vious type but placed over an internal wire structure and having preformed entrances. Type C: a wooden structure in the form of a roof with two slopes . Type D: similar to the type C but on one of the laterals the opaque mater ial only covers the upper half, and a plastic mesh covers the lower half. T ype E: a wooden square box covered with an inclined plank of opaque and wat erproof material. Our study shows that the type A nest received significant ly (P<0.05) more eggs than the others, possibly because this type of nest a llowed for better vigilance an da better sense of protection for the animal s. Type E nest was the second most preferred. In this type, th partridge wa s able to monitor the surroundings through the space between the walls and the roof and this space could be used as an escape route. From a production adn industrial perspective, type E has some advantages over type A, being easy to build, clean and disinfect, and allowing the birds to see through t he nest.