How Long Does It Take to Raise Chukar Partridges?

How long does it take to raise Chukar Partridges? Chukar chicks should stay in brooder barns until they are approximately 8 weeks old. At that point, they can move outside to flight pens, where they continue growing and developing. Chukars are considered mature birds at 16 weeks old.

That means you should generally plan on about 16 weeks to raise a Chukar chick to the mature stage. During that time, the birds transition from temperature-controlled brooder barns to outdoor flight pens as they grow. 

Chukar Growth Timeline

Here’s what that process looks like. The exact development of individual birds can vary.

Day-Old to 8 Weeks: Raising Chukar Chicks in the Brooder

The first eight weeks are an important period of growth. Chukar chicks should remain in the brooder barn until approximately 8 weeks old. During this stage, they need appropriate heat, a clean environment, fresh water, and quality game bird feed.

Chicks grow quickly during these early weeks, so their environment needs to change along with them. Adequate feeder and waterer access, appropriate space, ventilation, and clean bedding all contribute to good brooder management.

Bird behavior can also tell you a lot about their environment. Healthy chicks should be active and regularly eating and drinking. Unusual crowding, piling, excessive peeping, or changes in activity can be signs that something in the brooder needs attention.

Around 8 Weeks: Moving Chukars to Flight Pens

At approximately 8 weeks old, Chukars can leave the brooder barn and move into outdoor flight pens. By this point, the birds are larger, more active, and ready for considerably more space.

Flight pens provide room for Chukars to move, run, and fly as they continue developing. This stage is particularly important for birds being raised for hunting preserves and other release applications because they have an opportunity to build strength and develop natural movement and flight behaviors.

Pens should provide adequate space along with secure fencing and netting, protection from predators, access to feed and water, and appropriate ground cover. Get more detailed advice on building a flight pen in our guide.

8 to 16 Weeks: Growing Chukars in Flight Pens

Chukars spend the next several weeks continuing to grow and develop outdoors. Good management is still important during this period. Birds need reliable access to fresh water and appropriate feed, enough space to prevent unnecessary crowding, and a well-maintained pen environment.

Chukars are naturally active birds. Providing adequate flight-pen space allows them to exercise and develop before reaching maturity.

This period also gives you an opportunity to monitor the flock’s overall condition and development.

When Are Chukars Considered Mature?

Chukars are mature birds when they reach 16 weeks old. By this stage, they’ve spent approximately half of their lives in the brooder barn and the other half growing and exercising in outdoor flight pens.

For customers who don’t have the facilities or time to raise Chukars from chicks, purchasing 16+ week-old mature birds provides an option for getting birds that have already gone through the brooding and flight-pen stages.

What Can Affect How Quickly Chukars Develop?

Successful development still depends on consistent management. Important factors include:

• Nutrition: Feed should be appropriate for the birds’ age and stage of development.
• Brooder conditions: Young chicks need appropriate temperatures, ventilation, bedding, and space.
• Fresh water: Clean water should always be readily available.
• Space: Chukars need increasing amounts of room as they grow.
• Flight-pen management: Outdoor pens should provide room for exercise while protecting birds from predators.
• Flock health: Good sanitation and biosecurity help protect birds throughout the growing period.
• Weather: Once birds move outdoors, environmental conditions become another management consideration.

The calendar is useful, but good management throughout those 16 weeks is what helps produce healthy, mature birds.

Should You Raise Chukar Chicks or Buy Mature Chukars?

Whether you should start with chicks or purchase mature Chukars depends largely on your facilities and goals.

• Chukar chicks can be a good option if you have a suitable brooder, flight pens, equipment, and time to care for birds for approximately four months before they reach the mature stage.
• Mature Chukars may make more sense if you need birds for a hunting preserve, dog training, release, or another use and don’t want to handle the complete rearing process yourself.

At MacFarlane Pheasants, we offer both options, depending on seasonal availability.

Get Advice & Order From MacFarlane Pheasants

Our experienced team is happy to discuss your operation, answer questions, and recommend the best birds for your specific needs. We’ll also work with you to coordinate delivery or pickup and help you plan for a successful season. Contact us today to discuss the best options to meet your needs.