Do your free range?

[Kev]

One option I tell people, usually when they only get a pair: Keep them confined, hatch out chicks and then let some loose.. That way if you lose one, it won't be too much of a loss, like if you lose one of the pair..

Other than that, I usually recommend getting 5 birds if possible for free ranging. 2 males, 3 female peachicks or juveniles. Seems to work pretty well.

With your 50 acres, should not have much problems besides keeping them safe from predators and roaming dogs.

 

[deerman]

You will be fine, buy dont forget about hens setting for 28 days, I sell alot of peahen to people who free range, that lost them to predators.

The color counts to, white and pied standout when setting. Best if you can pen the hens up at laying time.

 

[allanimals21]

Yea I think I'm gonna wait to see if they hatch anything next year. I just wish they would have hatched some this year. The one hen sat on 8 eggs for about a week then gave them up so I but them in the bator but no luck.

I don't know what I could do for them?

 

[RockyToggRanch]

I let my 5 month old free range after I lost my other 3 to a mysterious illness. He stays right here and hangs around the yard with the chickens. I have a kitten that chases him around. (never catches him). He was just at my front door barking for me. He follows us around begging for corn.

I have 60 acres, but am surrounded by state and county forest. I don't worry about him leaving. His wings are not clipped, so he can get away from predators.

He's happy and healthy.

 

[CrazyFowlFreak]

I have three peas, a male and two feamles. They were Feb 09 hatches and have been in their pen since. Is it safe to ASSume they could be let out yet?

 

[Kev]

Oh yeah, they are good size to be safe from some predators and been with you long time.

Best method is to simply open door(do NOT force them out. That's important) and if possible, let only one out then shut door. Let it back in in evening(if you want them to roost in there) and repeat next day.. for about a week. If the loose bird stays around.. let two out and see how a couple does..

Also important, do not let anybody or anything chase or frighten the birds during their first few days outside. They will be very nervous and can be prone to jumping up and flying far during this period. If they land in a tree or tall building, often they will stay there for whole day and night.

So if you have dog or kids, keep them locked up or out of the yard even if you think they would never chase or harm them on their first days out.

 

[BantyMom]

So, how is it going?

I have 3 acres. I was planning to let just the boys out and keep the girls in, and at first to let them out just in the evening. Thoughts?

 

[dichotomymom]

Yep, only when I'm home though (which is pretty much all day every day). We had an issue with a dog but he only caught tail feathers and a fox got a couple back in September. Other than that, they love getting out and in return, their eggs are that much tastier.

 

[ranchhand]

I get the impression that some are talking chickens here, when the thread is about peafowl?

 

[RockyToggRanch]

Mine wants nothing to do with his "pea house" he free ranges with the chickens and ducks and follows them into the coop to roost at night. Before we got snow, he liked to sit on my back porch and watch us through the window. Now he stays in the driveway or the area we clear for them between the house and barn. I have only one neighbor and there's thick forest between us.