What should I do with found chukar?

[karode]

Hi, I'm new to BYC and I need some help. We found an injured chukar in our driveshed - she was hopping on one foot and missing all her tail feathers. Until I found out what kind of bird she was, I thought the red leg was injured and infected, but it turned out the other leg, that was brown, was the injured one; we're guessing a coyote or something snatched at her back end. Anyway, we caught her and built a cage and have fed and sheltered her for the last 2 months. She is better now and walks on both legs (both are now red) and she's somewhat tame to the point that we can pet her and when we let her fly around the garage, we can catch her and hold her. We haven't sexed her, but think she's a female as she is small and has no spurs; we've named her Charlie. We're both animal lovers and are planning on building a barn this year, but we aren't sure if we should keep her or release her back into the wild. She sits at the garage window during the day and looks outside and we feel guilty that she wants her freedom back, but we're worried whether or not she'll survive. We've never seen any other chukars around and we hear the coyotes every night; we're not sure what the best thing to do is? If we keep her, should we consider getting her another chukar for company? Thanks for any advise you can give.

 

[Tressa27884]

get her a friend and keep her!

 

[armdchicken]

get her a friend and keep her!

X2

 

[diggerduck]

I would be worried that being tamed up now that she wouldn't know what to do with herself in the wild. Keep her and get her a buddy. On a side note, I would check with your state game agency to make sure you won't get fined for keeping a wild caught animal without the proper license.

 

[deserthotwings]

I strongly agree with everyone else. You have had her in captivity too long now for her to readjust in the wild. I don't know where you live but if theres no other Chukers around she may not be native to your area. It wouldn't take much time or expense to build her a suitable out side pen. In Arizona a game bird permit is required if you raise and sell game birds and you can get a hobby permit for 5 bucks. Raising game birds is a fun and interesting hobby should you deside to keep her and add a mate. Soulds like she's found a good home. Good Luck Amigo

 

[karode]

Thanks everybody for your input; we'll start looking for a chukar friend and a bigger pen. I think that's the decision we wanted to hear, we're a little attached already.

 

[deserthotwings]

You may want to be sure to get a bird of the opposite sex. I wouldn't want to mix 2 male birds together, they just don't get along.

Thanks everybody for your input; we'll start looking for a chukar friend and a bigger pen. I think that's the decision we wanted to hear, we're a little attached already.