Grey partridges have declined catastrophically but targeted agri-environment management is demonstrating population recovery with welfare benefits.
Grey partridge welfare is most critical during the chick-rearing period when invertebrate food availability determines survival. Chicks starving in invertebrate-poor cereal monocultures represent the primary welfare cost of agricultural intensification. Successful agri-environment management restoring beetle banks, buffer strips, and conservation headlands directly improves chick food supply. Predator management reduces nest predation welfare costs. The demonstration that recovery is achievable with appropriate management provides hope that individual grey partridge welfare can be substantially improved across the agricultural landscape.