Ms Marple Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 I have just come home from school this evening with a partridge that has been in the school grounds for two days and our boys were getting very concerned and came to me because I keep chickens! It is clearly quite tame and currently in a box in my kitchen having munched some layers pellets. What do I do next? I think that they are largely ground birds like chickens. I don't know if it is male or female. I teach in an independent grammar school but in an inner city environment (Manchester). I am unaware of any local children's petting farms or similar nearby to us Would it be ok with my chickens? I am concerned about transferring 'something' to my flock. I have bantams as well as large girls so potentially it could be mixed in with the bantams at some point. Or I could rehome it to a partridge keeper. How do I start to find one? Any advice or bright ideas will be gratefully accepted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucker1 Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 Was it having a rest? We used to have one where I work and it used to spend a couple of hours most days in our courtyard and then disappear for a day or so and then repeat the visit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 We have tons of them at work, shame you're not closer or I'd have offered to rehome it on the estate. Lovely birds, but like quail, they are pretty dim and inclined to do the vertical take-off thing when they panic. I am coveting some English Partridge we have at the moment, they are such pretty birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted November 15, 2013 Share Posted November 15, 2013 We have ground birds and waterfowl who tip up in our garden at intervals. They generally spend a few days scrounging food and then go on their merry way. Can you put it back? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Marple Posted November 15, 2013 Author Share Posted November 15, 2013 Hello Chuckymama. Yes I could put it back, but it was in a part of the school between two buildings and totally closed off form the rest. No vegetation just a few sets and some waste bins, not out around on the fields. We are pretty inner city on our location too so I am really not sure. It seems ok at the moment but I am keeping it separate and obviously would rather I did the right thing. At home we back onto a canal and are quite rural so I could release it there during daylight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Marple Posted November 15, 2013 Author Share Posted November 15, 2013 I have just been told that it is a Chukar partridge and that it is illegal to release it into the wild in the uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted November 16, 2013 Share Posted November 16, 2013 I wonder where it came from? Quite a mystery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted November 16, 2013 Share Posted November 16, 2013 I have just been told that it is a Chukar partridge and that it is illegal to release it into the wild in the uk If you contact a local wildlife rescue they may be able to release it for you as some hold a license to release certain species - like the grey squirrel. It is possible that it is part of someone's private collection Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Marple Posted November 16, 2013 Author Share Posted November 16, 2013 That seems a good idea. We are away in London for the rugby so I will try on Monday and see what they say. He/ she certainly has a good appetite! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 Eat it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 We have tons of them at work What do you do with them? What work entails tons of partridge....sorry ....just curious Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Curious is good. I work on a private estate, with a farm; the pheasants, ducks and partridges are raised for shoots The partridges aren't quite as dim as the pheasants though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
