Healthy Rescued Chick - what should I do now?

[chicken_who]

Hi, this might be a long post of questions so bear with me lol. A friend brought over a chick last night and I am mostly sure that it isn't a chicken. Google says it is a partridge, that works with where the chick was found.
The chick was found in a dirty puddle and there have been partridges found in the garden. The chick was heard for a few hours before it was found so there is no mother which was looking for it. Currently, the chick is under a heat plate and is very strong, running around, doing 'normal' chick things. The main reason for posting is what shall I do with it now. I can use the brooder in the house but once it gets feathers it will have to go outside due to smells. It can't go in the shed where I brooded chicks in the winter as it gets too warm in there. Temperatures currently outside are in the 20s*C with going up to 27*C some days. I do however have 3 broody hens. 2 are sitting on 17 eggs between them and they are due 30/06/2022 and 05/07/2022. I have 1 broody hen who saw the other 2 get eggs and is now hoping for eggs but isn't getting any as I don't need any more chicks lol.
The partridge is wild and has been left by her mom, she has just lost her egg tooth so in terms of age I'm guessing that it is only a few days old. The chick is eating and drinking independently and is happy running around the brooder.

• Will the chick have any diseases that will be bad for my hens or my broody or will the chick be fine?
• Can the partridge chick eat chick crumb?
• How much noise do partridges make? Will it be happy with the chicken flock or will we have to rehome?
• When can it go outside without heat? Is it when it is feathered like it is with chickens?
• When would be the best time for the chick to go under the broody? - time of day and age-wise?
• Anything I need to know about the care of partridges? - I'll do more research but top tips would be great
• Can someone also confirm that it is a partridge, please. It would be funny if we end up with a peacock lol

Sorry for the questions it was quite a surprise last night. The chick has been at my house dry and warm for 18 hours and it is currently 15:30 where I live when I post this.
Thank you in advance. I'll post a pic below.
This is the chick last night, it is now a lot more alert:

 

[nuthatched]

Call your dnr/game wardens, you're likely not allowed to keep it. It can eat chick feed in the mean time.

 

[All4Eggz]

Interesting. Is it a guinea? Maybe a quail chick? Peachick?

Will the chick have any diseases that will be bad for my hens or my broody..?

That is very possible. It is best to quarantine the chick for a week or two.

Can the partridge chick eat chick crumb?

I believe a better option would be Game Bird Starter (you can find some at TSC or your local feed store) because it is higher in protein. Both quail and guineas need higher protein feed, and if it is a partridge, I assume it would still need higher protein feed.

How much noise do partridges make? Will it be happy with the chicken flock or will we have to rehome?

I doubt it would live well with chickens. Here's a thread about partridges and chickens.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/anyone-have-partridge-as-pets.216272/

When can it go outside without heat? Is it when it is feathered like it is with chickens?

Yes, it would be similar to a baby chick. When it is feathered, it is safe to let it go outside. Maybe a little bit longer.
I'd suggest you watch this YT video for additional help:

• When would be the best time for the chick to go under the broody? - time of day and age-wise?
• Anything I need to know about the care of partridges? - I'll do more research but top tips would be great
• Can someone also confirm that it is a partridge, please. It would be funny if we end up with a peacock lol

As for these questions, I don't have any answers. Are you planning on putting the chick under the broody hen?

@casportpony has peafowl, so maybe she can confirm if it is a peachick. LOL.

Maybe @RoostersAreAwesome or @rosemarythyme can help with your additional questions.

Good luck.

 

[chicken_who]

"What birds are legal to own in the UK?
You do not need to have a licence to keep a wild bird that was taken or killed legally, but you do need to be able to prove that you own it legally." - taken from google.
Will call the local vet to see what they have to say.

 

[All4Eggz]

"What birds are legal to own in the UK?
You do not need to have a licence to keep a wild bird that was taken or killed legally, but you do need to be able to prove that you own it legally." - taken from google.
Will call the local vet to see what they have to say.

Good idea. Please do keep us posted.

 

[chicken_who]

Interesting. Is it a guinea? Maybe a quail chick? Peachick?

That is very possible. It is best to quarantine the chick for a week or two.

I believe a better option would be Game Bird Starter (you can find some at TSC or your local feed store) because it is higher in protein. Both quail and guineas need higher protein feed, and if it is a partridge, I assume it would still need higher protein feed.

I doubt it would live well with chickens. Here's a thread about partridges and chickens.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/anyone-have-partridge-as-pets.216272/

Yes, it would be similar to a baby chick. When it is feathered, it is safe to let it go outside. Maybe a little bit longer.
I'd suggest you watch this YT video for additional help:

As for these questions, I don't have any answers. Are you planning on putting the chick under the broody hen?

@casportpony has peafowl, so maybe she can confirm if it is a peachick. LOL.

Maybe @RoostersAreAwesome or @rosemarythyme can help with your additional questions.

Good luck.

Thanks for the reply. If it did go under the broody, would the broody be able to eat game bird food? Will defiantly quarantine now. I guess it just doesn't leave the house lol. Putting it under the broody was an option but now not sure due to having to quarantine.

 

[casportpony]

It's not a peachick, chicken chick, or keet (Guinea), so probably a partridge. As @All4Eggz said, it needs gamebird starter, not chick starter. And your bloody hen can eat the starter.

 

[casportpony]

"What birds are legal to own in the UK?
You do not need to have a licence to keep a wild bird that was taken or killed legally, but you do need to be able to prove that you own it legally." - taken from google.
Will call the local vet to see what they have to say.

There is a law in the UK that is similar to the migratory bird act here in the US. The law here in the US says that one cannot have birds (dead or alive), feathers, or eggs that are on the federally protected list unless they have a permit.

 

[chicken_who]

In the UK, partridges are bred in captivity then released for shooting over a season. Any which aren't killed, then reproduce with the native population. I was hoping to bring it on and then release in a suitable area, but I will also probably call RSPCA to see what they think I should do.

 

[All4Eggz]

It's not a peachick, chicken chick, or keet (Guinea), so probably a partridge. As @All4Eggz said, it needs gamebird starter, not chick starter. And your bloody hen can eat the starter.

**broody.