If you want to set the default values when saving to the database, you may set the DefaultValue directly in the database.
Or you may use EntityValidation -> ValidateEntityBeforeSave to set default values in code.
Another way is to use partial classes indeed and override OnInitialized. Be sure to test whether the Fields.EntityState flag is set to New or Fetched. (Only set your defaults when the state is New, not when the state is Fetched)