White Chukar Partridge
Alectoris chukar is available from October to December.
White Chukars get their coloration from a rare genetic mutation. If you want to raise unusual game birds, then the White Chukar Partridge could be right for your flock!
White Chukar are snowy white, with a tan stripe around the eyes and down the neck, and similarly colored bands on the flanks. Their plumage is both beautiful and unusual.
Range: The original range of the chukar is the arid grasslands of Eurasia -- from Iran to southern Russia and western China, to Nepal and Pakistan. However, they now live in arid grasslands in many parts of the world. They have been very successfully bred and released in the US and have been seen in the wild from Pennsylvania to Alabama and west to California.
Habitat: Chukar prefers dry areas, often rocky with cliffs and low shrubbery. They are mainly ground-dwelling birds.
Status in the Wild and Aviculture: White Chukar are quite rare, both in the wild and in aviculture.
Breeding and Incubation: The nest is a simple scrape on the ground, and hens usually begin nesting in April. The average clutch consists of about 12 eggs and the incubation period is 24 days. Chukars breed in monogamous pairs.
Lifespan: A White Chukar in captivity can live to be 10 years old.
Mature Weight: Males weigh 1 to 1.5 pounds, while females weigh .8 to 1.3 pounds.
Housing Requirements
Chukar tends to be tough birds, able to withstand a wide range of temperatures. Their enclosure should be kept dry as mud may cause illness, disease, and parasites that are deadly for them. Some experts recommend keeping them on the wire to reduce the likelihood of illness.
As wild, mostly ground-dwelling birds, chukar need a sizeable amount of space. 64 square feet of ground per pair is recommended.
Diet: White Chukar Partridges are described as "opportunistic feeders" and will eat a wide variety of seeds, nuts, grasses, and insects. In captivity, a typical feed for game birds will work well.
