My Chukar escaped ! Need help and advice for newbie chukar ownerer

[KrissyroxNJ]

I recently rescued four chukar partridges from a live meat market in Philadelphia and bought a nice coop and they have been living in it for about 6 days. Since they were from the meat market, when I got them, they were understandably scared and had no clue how to even raise thier heads as they were squished in a tiny cramped cage before. Today I was acclimating them to thier new coop, In the morning I open the hen box door and they come downstairs and at night I try to get them to come up on thier own but since they are new at this, I was given the advice of helping them up. This is a nightly routine for me but for some odd reason tonight, when I was helping one up the little wooden walkway, one of my chukars flew out! I am so worried about him as we live in a really cold climate and he only knows indoors really since he comes from a meat market. I did see him fly over the yard once but I dont know what my chances of getting him back are? Do Partridges come home? They are ground birds so I am hoping he comes home. Any ideas to help me get him back would be appreciated! Any treats or food? Since the other birds are in the roost house and it has a lock, should i leave the downstairs part of the coop open in case he wants to come home? Will he sense his 3 other friends are here and want to be with them? I have never owned any backyard animals let alone a partridge! Looking for help and advice if he might ever come home again. Thanks
Krissy

 

[sourland]

If the bird survives the night and remains in the area, it may return to the sound of it's flock calling in the pen.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry about your partridge flying the coop. I would go out before dawn and put some food and water by the coop, since putting it out at night may only draw in predators. Then, hopefully when the others are making noise he will come in closer. I have only had experience with chickens, so am only familiar with their behavior. It is scary when one spends the night outside, probably roosting in a tree or bush. Let us know if he shows up in the morning, and good luck.

 

[KrissyroxNJ]

Sorry about your partridge flying the coop. I would go out before dawn and put some food and water by the coop, since putting it out at night may only draw in predators. Then, hopefully when the others are making noise he will come in closer. I have only had experience with chickens, so am only familiar with their behavior. It is scary when one spends the night outside, probably roosting in a tree or bush. Let us know if he shows up in the morning, and good luck.

Thank You, I am hoping he comes home and I agree with the idea of leaving the food early in the morning instead of at night cause of predators!

 

[ShannonR]

I had this happen with a ringneck pheasant once. Never saw it again.

 

[KrissyroxNJ]

I had this happen with a ringneck pheasant once. Never saw it again.

so sorry

 

[KrissyroxNJ]

Ok so I have seen him! He is alive and was trying to come back inside! 10 mins later 4 hawks flew by and scared him away! I need advice on how to catch him!

 

[JedJackson]

Do you have a cage or animal carrier? If so, put the other 3 birds in that with food and water, but leave the cage/carrier inside the coop. Then you can leave the door to the coop open, and hopefully he will go back inside, and you can shut the door behind him. This is what I would try if I was in your shoes.