Chukars
- Thread starter Dakotazeb
- Start date
FCSpringer
Moderator
In a month or so there will be some here.
Are you referring to chicks or flite birds?
FCSpringer
Moderator
Flight birds.
We are getting a few in April for training. We have one chukar trial. Typicaly we do not use them, but once and a while there is a trial so you need to. For the most part AKC ESS trials are on pheasants. They want the dogs tested on moving birds etc. and chukar really do not do that. They are now even changing the ESS trial rules so you can not champion a dog on just chukar trials. Many believe it is a glorified pigeon trial. Me I don't care. I know If I am going to one, I better use a few, cause they are good at making a dog break.
So any way, this guy has been growing them, and they will be old enough to use. They will be the same ones used in the trial in April. They sure do taste good though.
We are getting a few in April for training. We have one chukar trial. Typicaly we do not use them, but once and a while there is a trial so you need to. For the most part AKC ESS trials are on pheasants. They want the dogs tested on moving birds etc. and chukar really do not do that. They are now even changing the ESS trial rules so you can not champion a dog on just chukar trials. Many believe it is a glorified pigeon trial. Me I don't care. I know If I am going to one, I better use a few, cause they are good at making a dog break.
So any way, this guy has been growing them, and they will be old enough to use. They will be the same ones used in the trial in April. They sure do taste good though.Wow Flight birds in april! When were they hatched? They would have been hatched in December will not fly well unless they are at least 14 weeks old.
Must be an Indoor breeding operation?? Do these birds come from a large producer or hobby farmer?
I have shot thousands and only ate a couple, would rather have chicken Thanks
Must be an Indoor breeding operation?? Do these birds come from a large producer or hobby farmer?
I have shot thousands and only ate a couple, would rather have chicken Thanks
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What did you do with the rest of them?
BleuBijou
Active member
I know who has some here in N. Colo I am picking a few up this weekend!!!! Doesn't have many by his standards (200) that he can let go at this time! He is holding alot back for some FT's that got moved back. Will have some more this Spring!! I guess 200 hundred is not alot, probably has 700 held back! Probably a little far to travel?
FCSpringer
Moderator
Yes indoors, many growers do chukar indoors because of the size of them. Much easier then pheasants. They will be that old and will end up in flight pens before then and yes I think they are from Dec. Putting breeders on lights starts egg laying. Boy, chukar are one of the best eating bird out there. He is a fair sized producer, it's his sole income.
Used them as Yote and Coon bait Right along with buckets of pigeons and pheasants
I was in the game bird business for 20 years never cared to eat what I shot in training. Sold thousands of pheasants,chukars, huns. The 2 different clubs I ran did around 10,000 birds a year during that period of time dog work and shooting were much more interesting than eating shot flyers.
I do not buy into to the theory of "if you shoot it you have to it eat it"
Much prefer poultry over game!
Indoor breeding calls for lots of electricity for lighting.
Without constant lighting "no breeding"
I was a NAGA member I must have missed something, here in michigan Chukars will start breeding in late MayFlight birds ready for Late August at the earliest
FCSpringer
Moderator
Yep you missed something. And the lighting is no big deal, its just a few standard light bulbs. Several growers here have had birds on lights for a while now to get the egg production. Do you want their numbers. They are members. And some now have pheasant eggs allready.
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Good to hear chukar indoors in the winter just not going on in michigan,
I kwew Wolfe's Chukars Penn. were indooor winter breeders.
No I'm all set for game birds I use about 400 chukars @year But will not use any now till August. Pigeons will be my training bird of choice on a weekly basis. Thanks any way for the info.
FCSpringer
Moderator
Sure. I think in the MN area it has become more popular because of the demand for birds. Lots of shooting reserves here. And thats the only way to get useable birds early season before its 90 degrees. And this year most of the breeders are even sold out allready. It's gotten tough, and prices will go up till producers have too many again.