Ok guys i have a choice between getting these two species of francolins i love both and the prices are the same so any info, pros, cons between both would be great thanks!!!!!
I WOULD PUT MY MONEY IN THE ERCKEL,S THE BLACK,S ARE HARD TO KEEP AND THE ERCKELS YOU CAN KEEP ON THE GROUND THE BLACK,S YOU CAN NOT. DOSE THE MAN STELL HAVE THE ERCKELS I WOULD LIKE THEM. ALSO THE BLACKS SALE FOR MORE WHAT PRICE DID HE GIVE YOU ON THEM
Erckel's are big birds that can become relatively tame. They require a large aviary that has good drainage, as they prefer to dig at the ground quite often. They will destroy most ground cover, so plant evergreens and add plenty of large logs, rocks for the males to use as "crowing" spots. Greens are very important for the diet. Most in US are winter hardy, but should be given shelter in the coldest months.
The Black Francolin is much smaller and far more skittish than the Erckel's. A large planted aviary is preferred, but can be kept in smaller aviaries as long as it has plenty of cover. They are not as hard on the ground cover as the Erckel's, and we had thick stands of clover in their aviary. A good shelter is also needed for the winter.
Some of my experience: I've had both hatch and raise their own young; best kept in pairs as one hen will become aggressive towards the other; awesome calls, both birds fun to listen to.