Need help getting chukar acclimated to new coop

[KrissyroxNJ]

Hello Everyone! I am completely new to keeping any backyard birds but I recently rescued four Chukar partridges from a live meat market I just happened to pass by. I quickly purchased a nice sized coop and put the little guys in there three days ago. I was told to first put the birds in the enclosed area of the coop but I left the door open and they went downstairs to the open area. They didn't attempt to go back upstairs and that is where their food and water is. My question is How did you successfully acclimate your partridges/pheasants and was there a learning curve? I might add they are sweet but scared of me since they were handled roughly in the meat market. I was told I need to train them and put them in the enclosure every night and lock them in and let them out in the morning. Is this something you all have experience with? Today I tried this method and one of them hurt his little beak trying to get away from me and ended up bleeding. I felt bad. I would hate to have to do this every day until they are used to me but should I? Will they ever take to me
? I know they are not domesticated like chickens but I am holding out hope.

 

[007Sean]

Most gamebirds don't behave like chickens... they prefer staying on the ground, they in general, don't roost above ground., they don't particularly like having to or won't go up a ramp or ladder to go inside a shelter.
For my location South Central Texas, a 3-sided sheltered area works best, this is where their feed and water is kept. As long as you keep, rain, wind (drafts) off of them they can handle cold weather. No muddy conditions, either.
If you handle them alot from the time they hatch, the chances of them 'taming down' is greatly improved...when already grown and being handled the way yours have been, they might tame down a little but wouldn't count on that happening...they will probably always be flighty.

 

[KrissyroxNJ]

Thank you! I feel bad now for making them go up and down the ramp. Yeah, I do not know if they will ever truly take to me but today wasn't as bad as the other days. They weren't quite as flighty as they were in the beginning. I am in NJ and we do get severe weather which is why I think having them inside the nesting box at night isn't the worst. I don't know anything about birds let alone game birds so any advice and or wisdom about these guys is super helpful. Thank You !