Eggs, Fertility, and using chicken hens

[CARS]

Last week we picked up our first Peafowl. A nice pair. To my surprise, she is laying an egg every other day. I thought it would take a while for her to get over the transportation stress. She has no interest in setting on the eggs. I have never seen them mate so I don't know if the eggs are fertile.

I took 3 eggs and placed them under a broody hen this morning. What are my odds of all of the eggs being fertile and hatching?

 

[deerman]

I would say very good odds they are fertile. First she could be fertile from a mating weeks before. I have about 70 breeding age peafowl, I have seen them breed ,but not much. Not like chicken were the rooster is alway jumping a hen.

Is the male at least 2 yrs old ? Was she with other males when you got her ? if yes to either great odds you will have peachicks on the way..

 

[coloradopeafowl]

Like Deerman said, if she was with other males at least within the two year old range chances are very good the eggs are fertile. Just make sure you take them from the chicken hen right when they hatch if you are going to let her hatch them. You don't want any of them getting diseases from her.

 

[CARS]

Quote:
I was planing on putting anyone who hatches in the brooder. But please elaborate on the "diseases" if you will.

 

[CARS]

Just an update. Only one egg has been laid in the broody nest since I set the Pea eggs. She is growling every time I get near. So I am hoping something happens.

The Pea hen only laid 3 eggs...... Don't know what to expect. (nor do I have huge expectations this year to get any offspring.)

 

[coloradopeafowl]

Well first off peachicks are very prone to disease and things like worms. So it is best to keep them off the ground for at least three months. Also chickens carry disease that peachicks are not immune to and can be killed easily by them, a big one being blackhead. Also, have heard rumors that having peacocks with chickens can cause a peahen to lay bad eggs, but who knows on that one???

 

[CARS]

I have wanted to ask about "blackhead" for years. I have never heard of a case around here.

Maybe it is because we kill off the weak in winter around here (or they fly south)? (I'm in MN.)

I have had Turkeys and Chickens in the same barn (not the same ground) for 5 years. No issues (so far).

I guess we will see?

 

[coloradopeafowl]

Peachicks for some reason are one of the hardest chicks to raise not very hardy as chicks but once about three months old they become very hardy but still i highly recommend not keeping them with chickens at any age. I mean using chickens to lay on the eggs isn't going to hurt anything. I use cochin bantams to lay on my peacock eggs for the first week then move them into an incubator. But you can also use them to hatch the chicks all the way out. But i just wouldn't leave them with the hen very long. Heard way to many stories of peachicks dying from being with a chicken foster. And yea blackhead just depends on where your at, never had it here in colorado either (knock on wood) but like i said there are multiple diseases chickens carry that they are immune to but peacocks are not. Just telling you this from knowledge i've gained by raising them myself and by talking to many many many other breeders over the years. I'm not saying you can't keep them with her but if were me i wouldn't.

 

[CARS]

Thanks CO P.F. (too lazy to spell it out

)

I hear you. I hope it isn't a problem in the future.

No, I didn't plan on the biting, angry, ornery, broody (edited expletive) hen raising anyone. Heck, I am scared of her!

I'm just crossing my fingers at this point. Seriously, who buys a pair and has them lay eggs in the first week with no eggs since??? And has a little ^#^%#%@# to sit on them??

 

[coloradopeafowl]

Trust me, my peahens layed terribly this year. I have over 20 peahens and got about 40 eggs

i'm so mad over it

So your not the only one having a shortage on eggs.