I only have peafowl so I can't be much help on this subject, but I have read several things about people who have a peacock that seems to protect or guard the chickens. Usually what makes them so attached to the chickens is they are hatched out by a broody hen, so they are raised like a chicken and think they are one, and thus they are more willing to follow the chickens and look after them. I think a male would be a better choice, if you are fine with the noise.
Several of us here on BYC have imprinted peacocks and they are very tame and friendly, but all of us were worried because some say that hand raising a peacock that is imprinted to you might mean that when he is mature he will attack you. I know of some people who have had an agressive peacock because he was hand raised like that, but recently I asked some people that do bird shows with their tame peacocks and they said they have never had one turn agressive. So perhaps it is all in how you raise them.
Zoo peafowl are a whole other story indeed. Those poor birds have to deal with kids, and even adults chasing after them trying to yank out their train feathers. I can see why they would become agressive with all that going on. Some just hide in the trees until visiting hours are over.
Peafowl are generally shy birds. They don't hurt when they peck at treats in your hand. They are very curious, and very good at spotting hawks and I also think they know the alarm calls wild birds use for a hawk so that is helpful. I do know a lady who said her chicken was attacked by a hawk and a peacock came running and saved the chicken. But I can't guarantee that having a peacock would help. We have red tails here, and when they see one they look up to the sky and freeze and make a low noise and they all puff up and any small peachicks run for cover.
