I would love some advice

[Ambrosia17]

I am new to owning peafowl. I raised 1 last year that I lost to a predator over winter so Im trying again this year. Ive done a lot of research but it seems info on peafowl is limited. So Im looking for some advice. I recently obtained a 3 week purple pied and a 1 year India Blue. Im confident about the baby but would like help with the adult. He came from a farm with many other birds and was well cared for but not well socialized. So he is housed in a large workshop between the house and the garage, an area we go thru often and spend a good amount of time in so he becomes familiar with us. I offer him treats and I often step close to him calmly, stroke him once and then walk away hoping he will realize he doesnt have to be afraid of being touched. I imagine I should spend plenty of time doing this before I even attempt to pick him up. I dont ever expect him to like being handled but I dont want him to fight and fear being handled. Thus brings me to wing clipping. I read if I want him free range I should clip his wings. But if I catch him and restrain him to do that will it negate any socialization progress? Should I wait until hes more comfortable with me? Should I do it at all? Will it traumatize him no matter what? Will he injure himself trying to fly if his wings have never been clipped? Is it better to just 'bite the bullet' and try to catch and handle him? Ive never handled an adult - do I have any reason to fear him like a mean rooster or are they docile like a hen? How long should I confine him before attempting to introduce him to the outdoors? Any other advice anyone can offer? Should I expose the adult and baby to each other sooner than later? Thanks all!!

 

[KsKingBee]

So many questions, but I will try. First, every one of those questions has been asked and answered many times on this forum. At the top of the Peafowl forum, there is a list of stickies with all kinds of information on housing, care, medications, and genetics. It is a very good place to start. You can also use the search function for finding a wealth of information on any one subject. Please do ask questions when you can not find a satisfactory answer, there are a few of us that are willing to share when we can.

It is very rare to get a peafowl to actually like to be touched, some will but good luck with that. Males are more likely to turn aggressive if they do not have some fear of you, hens are a much better choice for imprinting as they are less likely to attack and flog you than a cock. I have lots of peas that are very friendly and will come up to me and eat from my hand, but I also have one cock that will flog my wife during the breeding season.

Free ranging is one of the great joys of having peafowl and we normally have four cocks that range about the property. Wing clipping is one sure way to get them killed by a predator and it is strongly recommended not to clip wings.

Actually, you are going to have to be trained more than the bird. You are going to have to learn to conquer your fears of handling the big bird for those occasions that he will have to be caught for medicating and emergency care.

 

[Ambrosia17]

So am I correct in understanding its more important that he know I do not fear him than to try to get him to warm up to me? So with that in mind should I catch and handle him right away? I noticed yesterday he has mites and would like to give him some ivermectin sooner than later. But I could just put it in his water if need be.

 

[KsKingBee]

Yes, you should catch him at any time you have a need to including treating for lice as they will never have mites. Dosing with Ivermec pour-on at 0.40 ml on the skin between the shoulders and a very small drop behind the crest is the best method.

Here is a picture of Sweepea, my imprinted Purple hen. She hates to be touched.

And here is Ron the bad boy during a 'timeout' from flogging me.

And Freebird looking for a peanut.

 

[Ambrosia17]

Tho the more I read I feel my initial intuition is closer to accurate - go slow, spend time, offer treats. The fact that I CAN touch him seems promising.

 

[KsKingBee]

Tho the more I read I feel my initial intuition is closer to accurate - go slow, spend time, offer treats. The fact that I CAN touch him seems promising.

Yes, just don't wing clip, please.

 

[KsKingBee]

My helper Mika.

 

[red horse ranch]

I love seeing your pictures @KsKingBee !

 

[KsKingBee]

I love seeing your pictures @KsKingBee !

Just for you.
Sweepea snuggling.

And a few weeks later...

And when she was not feeling well.

 

[red horse ranch]

Awwww! So sweet.

It looks like you hand raised her. Hard not to love them.