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.

 

[BuffOrpington567]

Welcome to BYC

 

[Cryss]

Not familiar with partridge. If they react like chickens the best way os to lock them into the coop where they sleep and roost. Don't let them into the run portion for minimally 3 days but considering they aren't domesticated types I'd go for more like a week. With chickens this imprints on them that this is home and safe so they will return as it gets dark outside. Perhaps they are more like Guinea fowl...hmmmm. In that case leave them in longer, but when you begin to let them out only let 1 out each day for about a week. Then start letting 2 out for a week, and so on. Guineas want to be with their flock so they will return.
From the way you speak about the coop I'm imagining it is the same or similar to mine. Can you post photos of your set up? It could help us give tips to help.

 

[007Sean]

They are gamebirds and ground birds. In general they won't go inside a chicken type coop on their own.
Leave the coop area open, they will on their own time find the feed and water.
They may or may not tame down, where you can at least walk around them without trying to kill themselves.

My pens are 3 sided, with the front side open to the run. I have the feed and water in the 3 sided sheltered area.

 

[KrissyroxNJ]

Not familiar with partridge. If they react like chickens the best way os to lock them into the coop where they sleep and roost. Don't let them into the run portion for minimally 3 days but considering they aren't domesticated types I'd go for more like a week. With chickens this imprints on them that this is home and safe so they will return as it gets dark outside. Perhaps they are more like Guinea fowl...hmmmm. In that case leave them in longer, but when you begin to let them out only let 1 out each day for about a week. Then start letting 2 out for a week, and so on. Guineas want to be with their flock so they will return.
From the way you speak about the coop I'm imagining it is the same or similar to mine. Can you post photos of your set up? It could help us give tips to help.

I will post photos later today! Thank you for the advice

 

[KrissyroxNJ]

They are gamebirds and ground birds. In general they won't go inside a chicken type coop on their own.
Leave the coop area open, they will on their own time find the feed and water.
They may or may not tame down, where you can at least walk around them without trying to kill themselves.

My pens are 3 sided, with the front side open to the run. I have the feed and water in the 3 sided sheltered area.

So far its been week two of the training them and I am not sure there is any real training them. You think they are smart enough to figure out that food and water is in the roost house and should the food and water not be in there? They are def becoming used to me but this is not going to be a hands-on relationship per say! Its more like they dont run from me quite as much as they used to!

 

[Cryss]

Food and water inside a coop, especially a small coop, can be a mess. Water can be dangerous because of condensation causing frostbite. Spills are wasteful of bedding and difficult to dry out thoroughly. Feed attracts mice and other critters and again, spills are difficult. These are both best left in the run UNLESS you are in the process of training by locking them in. If you are locking them in you need to remove both feed and water at dusk and clean up any water spills. If you are past that stage and have feed and water in the run you can leave water in the run but must remove feed when you lock them in the coop at night.