Hello All!

[Michael OShay]

Thank you so much everyone!
We aren't totally sold on emus, it was just an idea we were tossing around. I figured being informed on all the fowl would help us decide if they are right for us or not

You're welcome.

 

[Birdrain92]

Thank you so much everyone!
We aren't totally sold on emus, it was just an idea we were tossing around. I figured being informed on all the fowl would help us decide if they are right for us or not

Your welcome! Have you looked at peafowl? They are friendly and can handle the cold. I own 6 peafowl. If you have any questions on peafowl I can easily help you. I can also help with connections if you decide that you want peafowl.

 

[Tessy2]

Oh gosh! I didn't even give much thought to peafowl. I love their noises and beautiful feathers. I would love to get more information on them. Are they much different from chickens and ducks? I've only raised ducks so that's the extent of my hands on experience with fowl.

 

[Birdrain92]

Oh gosh! I didn't even give much thought to peafowl. I love their noises and beautiful feathers. I would love to get more information on them. Are they much different from chickens and ducks? I've only raised ducks so that's the extent of my hands on experience with fowl.

They are very different in different ways. Both sexes will call. Both sexes will fan their tail feathers. Peahens tend to fan their tail feathers when intimidated. Peacocks will fan their tail feathers if they are trying to court a peahen or when they feel intimidated. Even peachicks when they are a couple days old will practice fanning. Peachicks hatch out with wing quills already in place. Peachicks start flying when they are a couple days old. Peahens are great mothers. Peahens are seasonal layers. Once a peahen hatches out a clutch off eggs she's done for the year. Peahens tend to lay a clutch of 4-6 eggs. If you collect the eggs they will continue to lay eggs further into the breeding season. Peacocks will molt all of their train feathers once a year after breeding season ends. Within a month next year's train feathers pierce through the skin. Then within 4-5 months the train feathers are grown in. There are about 200 train feathers, more or less depending on age and nutrition. The train feathers are the beautiful feathers. They range from 3 or 4" to 5 or 6'. The tail feathers are a solid color that hold the train up when fanning and are anywhere between 2-3' in length. Here are some pictures of my Indian Blues.

Peachicks I hatched out practicing fanning

All the peachicks I hatched out last year.

Peahen with the chicks she hatched out. They are a day old.

All of these feathers were from one male.

Finally done molting

Month later the feathers have pierced through the skin.

 

[Birdrain92]

Also just another fun fact. There are 225 different kinds of peafowl. 3 of them are subspecies of the Green species, 111 are part of the Indian species, and the last 111 are of a hybrid between the two species known as Spaldings. The Green species can not handle the cold while the Indian species can. For Spaldings it depends on how close they are to Green peafowl. Closer they are to Green peafowl less hardy. Closer to the Indian species the hardier they are. I wouldn't really worry about Green peafowl though. Kind of difficult to find true Greens and they are very expensive. There are two kinds of mutations in peafowl color and pattern.

 

[Tessy2]

Thank you so much! If raising them from chicks, do they require the same amount of heat and food and grit as ducklings/chicks?

 

[NickyKnack]

Hello!

Welcome to BYC and the coop! There's a lot of great peeps here! Feel free to ask lots of questions. But most of all, make yourself at home. I'm so glad you decided to joined the BYC family. I look forward to seeing you around BYC. Wow! Beautiful pea fowl, Birdrain92.

 

[Birdrain92]

Quote:

Thank you so much! If raising them from chicks, do they require the same amount of heat and food and grit as ducklings/chicks?

Heat yes. My chicks regardless of species were always on full feed. Except my chicks and ducklings are on a 18% protein medicated feed and my peachicks are on a 28% protein medicated feed. My chicks get access to grains of sand and pebbles to help with digestion.

Hello!

Welcome to BYC and the coop! There's a lot of great peeps here! Feel free to ask lots of questions. But most of all, make yourself at home. I'm so glad you decided to joined the BYC family. I look forward to seeing you around BYC. Wow! Beautiful pea fowl, Birdrain92.

Thank you!

 

[User395221]

Those babies practising how to fan are adorable.