For the second year in a row many of the children were lucky enough to have a guided tour of the estate pheasant and partridge hatchery.
Paul the head keeper was there to show the children around.
First they went into a big room to see all of the eggs. It was perfect timing as they watched one of the chicks actually hatching out of it's egg. 
After that several children were lucky enough to hold or stroke one of the baby chicks.
Then they went into a very warm room where hundreds of newly hatched chicks are kept before they are big enough to go outside. Here they were able to feed them the grit and learned that it is what helps them disgust their food
Finally they saw the adult birds outside in their pens. We learned so much, perhaps you can continue to learn more at home! http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/families/partridges.aspx