best breed for beginners

[nadams4]

My husband an i just bought some property and want to get a pair of peafowl. What is the best breed for beginners. We were going to see about buying them at the mt. hope exotic sale (amish auction barn).

Any tips....

 

[nadams4]

Also it would be great if someone could reccommend a good peafowl beginners book.

(i've had chickens for 5 years...just new to peafowl)

Thanks

 

[Kev]

There's no breeds in peafowl.. there are two main species: Indian and Green peafowl. In captivity there are also Spaldings, which are a mix of the Indian and Green species.

For a beginner, Indians in any color will be good. There's no difference between the different colors other than the color. Care, personality etc of a white Indian is exactly same as Indian Blue.

So just look through pictures or birds in persons and take whatever color strikes your fancy..

The reason Greens are not a good choice for beginner is because they are less domesticated, has risk of becoming highly aggressive or highly "wild" and need protection & heat in cold winter areas.

Spaldings are okay, if you prefer them to Indians though.. but since they have Green blood, there's a chance of "spooky birds" in spaldings.

Birds from about 3-4 months old or older are much easier. Yearlings probably are the easiest of all. Adults will be fine if you keep the penned, but if you intend to let them loose to free range, yearlings or younger are much better choice.. Also for free ranging I always recommend getting more than a pair.. something like 2 males 2 females(or 3 females) is better.

Auctions are kinda risky places.. make sure the birds(any animal really) you bid on at least look healthy. No wetness or sticky goo on their eyes, beak or nose.. also look to see if their butts are full of old poo(not good!).. try to get the ones that look bright and wide eyed and 'alert' and hold their wings tight to body.. unless it is very hot, avoid any birds that show droopy wings and seem 'sleepy'.

Check out United Peafowl website .. some personal websites have good amount of info such as Brad Legg, Craig Hopkins etc (they are also members of UPA and links to their websites are on there)

 

[nadams4]

Thanks for all the information!

Can you keep them in a "pasture" type pen with chickens? with seperate shelter (or can they use the same coop?)

 

[QuailKeeper]

the blues are the most common that you see usually, and they are what most people think of when you say peacock(its also funny how most people dont know what a peahen looks like). if i were to ever get peafowl, i would go with the indian blues. they are common, and they are also extremely pretty

 

[deerman]

Just dont start will the greens, in the india just stay away from charcoal, only color of the india that have alot of trouble, I go to Mt Hope. Yes A real good place to get peafowl, if you know what to look for. I know some top breeders sell there Like Leggs. Pm me, will be glad to help if I make the sale.

The males will not have trains(tails) this sell, but will in the spring if 3 yr old.