first peacock....UPDATE NEW PIX

[RockyToggRanch]

Yes I know about only clipping the longer flight feathers and only on one side. We used to clip our chickens years ago.

The two lighter colored birds hold their wings lower. Is that normal?

Thanks
Cindy

 

[Kev]

No.. not normal.. may be sore(they are not bony or skinny on their breast area?). They should "recover" if healthy and in a large pen with room to excerise and fly and their muscle tone should come back.

Spaldings (and greens) need a lot of room as babies. They need to exercise or else their bones get brittle.

 

[RockyToggRanch]

Well, they're thinner than a chicken breast. I've never touched a pea so have no idea how much "meat" they should have on their bones. They look proportionate and healthy. They're in a 6x10 coop right now. I'll try to build them a run this wkend.

I'd love to let them loose to free range with the other birds....

Cindy

 

[Kev]

They are leaner than chickens but it's still kind of the same concept- the breast should not be "bony". There should be at least a fair amount of meat on the breast, just more streamlined. If you're feeling the keel on the sides, that's bad..

Hopefully they're just either sore or don't have much muscle tone, yet.

They can be let loose, the same advice applies to any other peafowl- keep them confined for as long as possible before letting them out the first time etc. A run will be excellent, gives them a very clear view of their new home plus let the birds have room to run, flap.

Another idea, give several perches at varying heights to encourage them to hop up occasionally and roost off ground at night. Once they are in habit of roosting off night, remove most of the really low perches to force them to fly up a longer distance instead of "ladder hopping".

 

[RockyToggRanch]

Very helpful and interesting advice! Thank you. I wouldn't have thought to remove lower roosts. Makes sense.

 

[deerman]

Even with the wing clip, both side they still can clear 6 foot fence.


Myself when I clip any bird wings, leave two outsde flights, clip next 8. Bird will look unclip then. Alway clip both wings , so bird still has control , not flying into walls or sides of pens. Still fly few feet(with control) just not far or high.