A Peacock has decided to visit!

[theoldchick]

He wandered in and I need to know basic care for peafowl. I don't plan to keep him with my chickens, but he is pacing the fence line, wanting to get in. He appears to be a young male (?) and is in good condition. His legs are clean and his eyes are clear.





On another note, if anyone has lost a peacock near Spartanburg, SC please PM me.
Thanks in advance for any information.

 

[Coopacabana]

what a bizarre & awesome thing to have happen.

 

[thatchickenlady]

Probably an escapee from another farm... Good idea to have feed and water nearby while he gets adjusted to a new home.

 

[CochinBrahmaLover]

Cute, lucky!

 

[DreamBird]

Awww !
If you decide to keep him, I think "Lucky" could be a cute name for him ! <3
Referring a bit to the previous post, because you're lucky, and because he is lucky to have stumbled upon the house of somebody who takes care of birds ~

 

[theoldchick]

He sounds like a squeaky tuba! He announced his presence as he roosted for the night. Do they need a special diet? From what I read here, occasional cat food for protein, some scratch feed as treats, game feed as daily food?

 

[peafowlmom]

If you don't want him or he needs a home, I am in Summerville. Carrie

 

[theoldchick]

If you don't want him or he needs a home, I am in Summerville. Carrie

I'll keep you in mind. Thanks!

 

[Resolution]

Just let him in. He's probably been scared off by something and is now frantic to get back "in" any place that is poultry friendly.

Make sure you give him some cat kibble two or three times a week and a few raw nuts -old bananas that sort of thing. Peafowl are like cats. They discover some place and make it their home. He could be there for the next fifteen years.

This will also encourage you to sterilise your water containers more often. Chickens and their wild ancestors the junglefowl can drink out of swamp water but peafowl will walk a long way for clean fresh water. Subsequently, they tend to be more vulnerable to certain protozoa and pathogens that chickens seem to be fairly immune to.

I've seen peafowl in junkyards over run with poultry with the filthiest conditions and they seemed healthy and happy so don't over worry about your poultry yard.
It's just something to keep in mind- the issue of their vulnerabilities.

As he's a young male, he is going through a rapid growth phase. The best thing you can do for him is throw him bits of shrimp with the shell - they sell them frozen in every grocery these days. Cut up a few with the shell- and whenever you go to visit throw him a piece of shrimp. Proso millet is a fine baseline for peafowl.

Once he's confident to come and go he'll probably catch most of his own food and just show up for lazy sakes.

 

[theoldchick]

Thanks for the info!