Bought peachicks today - NOW WHAT DO I DO?

[RedBrush Farm]

I purchased 2 Indian peachicks today. They are less than one week old. I am following advise from last week about buying them as young as possible so they will be tamer. I have them in an area with a heat lamp, water, and food but they can also move to an area without heat if they get hot? (It is 92 degrees in S.E. Missouri today!) I put them on paper towels because I did not know what they need. From what I have read I will have to wait months to see if they are male or female. I am to get more this week that will also be under 1 week from another breeder. I think this will insure that I have hens and a peacock from 2 different sources. (Unless I am unlucky enough that they are all the same gender) Will I be able to sell the ones that I do not want to keep if they are older? I would think everyone would want tame birds. Can I put the new chicks in with the ones I purchased today? WOW I do not think I thought this through. I want to keep them healthy and safe. Hope someone can give me some advice...

B.K. in Missouri:/

 

[Frosty]

I don't see why you couldn't sell them, the one question that I have is will you be able to tell them apart to know which chicks came from where as they get older? Normally I try to keep birds in quarantine when they come in... So perhaps different brooders until you can make sure both groups are thriving?

 

[RedBrush Farm]

Thanks for the info. I hadn't thought of how to tell them apart. I guess I could band one group. I had not thought of keeping them separate either. That would be best also. I don't mean to sound completely uninformed. I have been reading all the post and internet articles but there is so much information out there it's hard to know what is best. I thought getting info. from others who raised peafowl would help the most.

Thanks again

 

[featherhead]

It's also very possible that the larger chicks will peck on the smaller ones. Be prepared to keep them separate if you need to. It might be easiest to let your current chicks grow out, learn what you have, then supplement as necessary. If you have two females, it should be easy to find a male to go with them at a later date.

 

[xlboergoats]

We use colored zip-ties around here to distinguish between chicks and peachicks. They are cheap and work well with all age groups. We have to check them often to change them when they start to get tight. When our birds slow down on their growing, we switch to regular numbered leg bands.

Ernie Haire

 

[SuperPeacockman]

Quote:
I put chicks that are one week apart in the same brooder with no problems. 2 weeks is to much, but I think they will be fine.

 

[Kedreeva]

First of all, grats on the chicks! You can use twist ties, zip ties, or order leg bands from someplace like Cutler Supply online. You can also use nail polish- just put a little on a toe of each from one group.

Your brooder sounds fine, they sound like they have everything they need in there. You can also put in toys for them- mine liked cat toys, like the little jingle balls.

If you want to keep them friendly, handle them, talk to them, keep them around you. Don't pin their wings down if you don't have to, it stresses them out and can make them afraid of being handled by you.

You will almost definitely be able to sell the ones you don't need when they get older. I don't know if there are animal swaps in Missouri, but they occur here several times a year and people are always selling peafowl. Of course you can list them here on BYC and on craigslist.