Does anyone out there have an opinion on letting Peacock and his hen out??

[postalpoultry]

I will try but it's rainy today so thats a good excuse to wait HAHA

 

[RoboDuck]

We are new to the peabird world. This thread is very interesting since I had the same question as the author.

Short history of our introduction to this new addition to our place:

Found a local person selling a pair. Got a 1 year old female and 2 year old male. He was beautiful. But somehow he managed to find a hole in the pen and escaped only a couple of days after getting him. And we STILL don't know where he got out. But anyhow, he left the girl behind and hasn't been seen since. I would have thought he would have hung out at least somewhere in the vicinity due to all the other animals, but he did not. Just gone.

So I found a BYC member selling some. Bought another pair from him. 2 years old. The female arrived ok but the male arrived dead. The seller sent a free replacement but he was only 1 year old so he does not have his pretty feathers yet.

So we have ended up with a trio. But now we're gun shy about letting him out to free range. If the males are territorial and establish their home area, how long does it usually take and how old before they exhibit this behavior? I see places all the time that have free ranging IB and would LOVE to have a mature male freely ranging our place.

And just one other question.... what is your peafowls' favorite treats/snacks? I would like to spoil ours if possible so that they like seeing people coming like all the other animals we have.

 

[Deannar893]

I love my peacocks I also have IB mine freerange and even come when I call them. My peahen stays with the chickens and ducks they don't fight or show any aggressive behavior she even thinks she's a dog lol she even trues to come in the house and gets in the truck if I leave the door open. She is very sweet and spoiled she will even sit on my husband arm I think she has a crush on him.

 

[postalpoultry]

And just one other question.... what is your peafowls' favorite treats/snacks? I would like to spoil ours if possible so that they like seeing people coming like all the other animals we have.

I feed mine a combination of flock raiser crumbles and scratch, the pea fowl always go thru and pick out the black sunflower seeds so since I also wanted to spoil mine I ran out and spent the $25 on a sack of black oil sunflower seeds. THEY WILL NOT HAVE THEM!!! LOL

 

[RoboDuck]

LOL... figures. My wife raises mill worms. I wonder how they'll feel about those.

 

[postalpoultry]

LOL... figures. My wife raises mill worms. I wonder how they'll feel about those.

OH I bet they will love those! and you won't be out the $ if your wife raises them anyway LOL

 

[barkerg]

We are new to the peabird world.  This thread is very interesting since I had the same question as the author.

Short history of our introduction to this new addition to our place:

Found a local person selling a pair.  Got a 1 year old female and 2 year old male.  He was beautiful.  But somehow he managed to find a hole in the pen and escaped only a couple of days after getting him.  And we STILL don't know where he got out.  But anyhow, he left the girl behind and hasn't been seen since.  I would have thought he would have hung out at least somewhere in the vicinity due to all the other animals, but he did not.  Just gone.

So I found a BYC member selling some.  Bought another pair from him.  2 years old.  The female arrived ok but the male arrived dead.  The seller sent a free replacement but he was only 1 year old so he does not have his pretty feathers yet.  

So we have ended up with a trio.  But now we're gun shy about letting him out to free range.  If the males are territorial and establish their home area, how long does it usually take and how old before they exhibit this behavior?  I see places all the time that have free ranging IB and would LOVE to have a mature male freely ranging our place. 

And just one other question.... what is your peafowls' favorite treats/snacks?  I would like to spoil ours if possible so that they like seeing people coming like all the other animals we have.

The peaworld is outstanding indeed. I hate to hear that about your rooster issues and Im betting this go around will be much better. Sounds like the first bird was not well established yet and probably got spooked and lost. Since they are well established now and are used to you guys, you could probably leave the pen door open and allow them to venture out, they should return to roost at night. Do not run them out, let them decide usually it takes just one then they will all follow soon you wont be able to make them leave if you tried, they are very good at free ranging and loads of fun. They are very curious and will inspect everything your working on as for treats, I havent found much they dont like, they love table scraps and its hilarious to watch dogs and peas fight over the scraps. Pumpkins and watermelon are favorites and will keep them fat and busy. Good luck and keep us posted, psst, post pics

.

Gerald Barker

 

[RoboDuck]

I guess I should have mentioned the time line. The latest male just arrived earlier this week. I figured we would bond with them for a couple of weeks before even attempting to let them out of the pen.

 

[RoboDuck]

Here's the yearling cock.

 

[postalpoultry]

Here's the yearling cock.

just wondering if you would post a better pic. I'd like to see all of this beauty