Intrested in peafowl, few questions.

[Love my Critters!]

My husband and I are thinking about getting a couple of peafowl. I have a few questions... what is the average lifespan? If I raise them from babies, will they hang around my house? Will they hurt my chickens if they are raised around them (my chickens free range on a couple of acres)? Sorry I'm sure all of these questions have been already answered before.One of our neighbors down the road has some and I just love hearing them. They are also so beautiful to look at. I love their faces. Thanks!

 

[6littlechickies]

They can live about 20 years, if raised from babies they may stay around (no guarantee's as they are birds). We keep all of ours in aviaries both to protect them and so they do not wander off. I doubt they would have any issues with chickens, we do not keep ours together at all as chickens can pass diseases along to peafowl (blackhead in particular). Hope that helps answer your questions.

 

[Kedreeva]

They may stay, they may go... If you're keeping them with chickens just be sure you look into the diseases chickens can carry (but be asymptomatic). Ours do not bother hens (Well, Osiris does but she is in everyone's business anyway), but they box the roosters when the roosters get it into their little pea brains that they might be boss. The roosters are always wrong, and the peacocks are happy to prove it.

 

[Love my Critters!]

Thanks for the replies. Does anyone know how to go about trying to find a breeder or is there hatcheries that have them?

 

[6littlechickies]

there are some hatcheries that have them but I'm not sure offhand which ones, what colors or even prices. Best way to find breeders is the UPA list here, http://www.peafowl.org/breeders.htm. You might be able to find someone close to you on that list.

 

[Mayapple]

Just thought I'd jump in and say that my rooster totally dominates my peacock. And the rooster for the most part is a docile, sweet boy! But man, oh man... will he chase my peacock around the yard!

 

[Kedreeva]

Quote:
That is one tough rooster!

And for the breeders, if you are looking for chicks or eggs, you can also look out of your area. A lot of people ship chicks and eggs (and sometimes adults), and that would give you a wider range of who you can buy from or maybe give you access to more colors than what is local.

 

[Yoda]

Also check Craig's List as there are people in your state that are not on UPA list but will sell you the eggs, chicks and birds.

 

[Kedreeva]

Quote:
Craigslist is nice too, especially since I know there have been several times where people are looking to get rid of peas for free (in our area) because they got in over their heads for caring for them (too loud, too rowdy, too whatever for them). EBay will have eggs in the spring (and may have some now but I wouldn't trust the fertility this late) as well, though it's a toss up on quality of the eggs. You can also google for individuals who may not be on the breeder list but may have their own websites where they sell peafowl.

 

[Frosty]

If you can hear the neighbors peas, keep in mind that if you free range there is a chance that your peas will head over there.