ISO Charcoal Peahen in or near Ohio

[chicknmania]

Please. Anyone? Lookng for healthy hen ideally somewhere between 1 and 6 years old, but really, open to whatever. We need one asap. Please and thank you.

 

[Kedreeva]

I'm curious, why a hen? As far as I remember, charcoal females are infertile, and charcoal lifespans are considerably shorter than other colors due to genetic problems.

If you can't find anyone, you may consider looking into the Wolf Creek animal swap meet in Indiana next weekend. It's a good 4h drive from central Ohio, but it's close to Shipshewana (neat place to shop and stay over if you want to go the night before) and a lot of people bring peafowl of various colors. You may be able to inquire with local breeders there if they know anyone nearby that might have them that isn't on the forums.

Good luck in your search!

 

[chicknmania]

Thank you. We are looking for a hen because our remaining hen, Snap, was inseparable friends with the hen that died. We already have two peacocks. The hens have never really socialized with them, except to briefly admire them in spring (and I assume breed with them occasionally), and the four of them always did hang out together in the fall. But right now, she has no interest in the males at all. She's off her her feed a bit, (but begging for treats!) and is obviously missing her best friend. She looks and looks for her, it's heartbreaking. That's why we need another hen. Also, one hen for two males might be a bit stressful for her.

As I think I've said before, we want the Charcoal because we don't want any more than four peafowl. Our IB hen that died was very broody and she only hatched one chick ever, and she was not a good mother. I just don't want to deal with it. That's why we thought the charcoal might work well for us.

We have FINALLY found two breeders now fairly locally that have offered us a yearling IB, a three year old black shoulder and (possibly) a charcoal. We are weighing the choices before making a decision, but thanks for the info about the charcoal, I didn't know that about the age thing. (although we're already worried that our peas might outlive us, lol). Right now we are leaning towards the black shoulder, as she's closest in age to our existing hen, but haven't made a decision yet.

Thank you everyone for all the interest. I'll post what we decide.

 

[Kedreeva]

Oooh, yeah, that's rough. I've lost birds a couple of times over the years and I've learned to leave the body in the pen for a day for them to see and mourn. The very first one I lost I took out immediately thinking it would be distressing but all that did was cause the flock to spend days calling and looking for him. I'm sorry to hear about your feather kid, I hope you find a good friend for your remaining lady.

 

[chicknmania]

Oooh, yeah, that's rough. I've lost birds a couple of times over the years and I've learned to leave the body in the pen for a day for them to see and mourn. The very first one I lost I took out immediately thinking it would be distressing but all that did was cause the flock to spend days calling and looking for him. I'm sorry to hear about your feather kid, I hope you find a good friend for your remaining lady.

Thank you. When I first found her laying on the barn floor, she was still warm, she had just died. I bent to stroke her, wondering if there would be a response. As I stood stroking her, the entire flock gathered around and stood in a silent circle. They were obviously aware something was wrong. It was....well, sometimes people don't give animals credit that maybe they should have. Sweetpea wasn't necessarily loved by all our birds, but she was respected..she was the enforcer and certainly ruled the roost in our flock. I've read weird stories about what crows do that is obviously mourning. Anyway, I did put her body in a pen that is partially enclosed, but it has a wire top and sides halfway up. Eventually Snap found her there, And remained perched on the pen all that day. When I took her away (when Snap wasn't looking) to be cremated, Snap discovered she wasn't in there anymore, and resumed her looking. Today Snap has been acting a little happier and more normal.

Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on if it is better to get a hen that is closer to Snap's age, or does it make any difference?

 

[Kedreeva]

I've found age doesn't really make a difference nearly as much as personality. I introduced Sola to Aurora when Sola was a baby and Aurora was 4, and they are super alike and get along great. Nebula was a couple of years old when I introduced her so closer to Aurora's age but they never got along well. I housed everyone together this winter and sola hated all of the other adult hens (to be fair she hates everyone except Aurora) but Aurora just made sure they knew she was in charge and then got along fine with all of them.

 

[chicknmania]

I'm really discouraged, as I had two breeders assure me that they had birds to sell, and now both have dropped off the face of the Earth, literally. I can't reach either one to follow up with them. Makes me feel like they think I'm a crappy pea mom, or something. Snap is much better, but I know she's still lonely. I don't understand it...why I can't get a response.

 

[AngieMaesChix]

Have you heard anything? I don’t have peafowl but they are on my list though I’m waiting a year or two yet..can’t wait they are such beautiful birds!! Hope you find a friend for your girl!! Hopefully they just been too busy to reply...

 

[chicknmania]

Have you heard anything? I don’t have peafowl but they are on my list though I’m waiting a year or two yet..can’t wait they are such beautiful birds!! Hope you find a friend for your girl!! Hopefully they just been too busy to reply...

Hi, yes, they are busy and I am impatient. Did hear back from both. We decided to go for the Black Shoulder, just because we thought it might be fun to try something different. At least, that's what we're getting unless I lose patience entirely. And the breeder who thought he might find a Charcoal for us, wasn't able to find one. They are out of range geographically as far as I can tell. The Breeder selling us the BS hen is out of town and so has put me off til at least Monday, and then we have to decide about shipping or if we are going to make the trip to pick her up.

They are beautiful birds and so many different kinds! It's like a candy store! Expensive candy, though, lol.

Good luck, I hope you get some nice ones!