2 Chickens and a Chukar?

[PeJones]

Hi guys. My co-worker rescued a Chukar who had been shot in the wing. She was asking if I wanted it. I currently have a black cohin bantam and a golden seabright. Both are hens. We don't know what the Chukar is. What are the dangers of putting these three birds together? Any statistics on fatalities or illness?

Thanks!

 

[Lophura]

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Your subject sounds like a TV show!! You can get a wide arrange of answers on keeping wild galliformes with domestic fowl, and rightfully so. As rule, it isn't a good idea because of disease transmission and aggression by the domestics. However, with a well kept aviary/pen, proper diet, and docile fowl, you should be alright. I have done it as a necessity because of moving so often. Just observe and keep things clean. Kudos to your co-worker for rescuing the bird, hope it recovers.

Dan

 

[PeJones]

Thanks, Dan! We might try to introduce them, then. Honestly, the whole situation is just awful. Apparently the co-worker's ex raises the game to practice with his hunting dogs. I don't get this whole, planted hunting. Kinda cruel, if you ask me.

2 chickens and a Chukar is pretty catchy.

 

[Xtina]

This is what I came on the BYC to read about today. Someone in my area is selling some chukar and I happen to be in the market for some chukar. But I don't have a coop or anything ready for them, nor do I really know anything about them yet; I've only just started learning. Does it sound horribly unwise to just buy them and put them in with my ladies? They're domestic, not wild, but I don't know anything else about them.

 

[Lophura]

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Agreed!!!!

 

[MakNugget]

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I have one chukar with my 3 girls. I have some old posts on here about the whole ordeal but long story short, one appeared out of nowhere this summer and wanted in really bad. After consulting the forums, I concluded I should bring it in. I quarantined it on a wire bottom pen (converted old brooder) and introduced it to the girls in the run once time was up. I kept him in the coop for a week to imprint to the new home while the girls go outside. He gets agitated knowing he has to be alone but is fine once they are back in.

Fast forward to present, he's fine but obviously at the bottom pecking order. I made en extra perch to allow him more maneuvering around the girls if they feel he needs a reminder of his place. Treats feeding requires some strategy, since the girls go after everything. In the coop, the chickens get at floor level and chukar gets at roost level. Outside I toss some toward chukar while the girls are not looking. I also have a couple logs in the run that slow down the hens.

Your chukar should do fine, but just be prepared that it may seem a bit brutal treatment wise. His feathers will never look perfect again from pecking but he has never tried escaping and always comes home at night. I swear he thinks he's a little chicken sometimes.

I feed him organic scratch grains, sprouts, wheatgrass, leafy greens. I can hand feed him, touch him if he's unaware. My run is sand and coop is DLM. Hope this helps.