I'm glad to see that folks are mentioning game bird feed now -- in my experience (which I got the hard way), chicken feed is not adequate to maintain peafowl in optimum body condition and health.
Unfortunately, there does not seem to have been a lot of research done on peafowl nutritional requirements. I seem to recall that some of the early recommendations were based off turkey needs. I think there was some research on trying to simulate a "natural" diet (perhaps what would have been found in the wild) -- I think there was an article by Morishita (the same person who co-authored Birdrain's new book) -- it used to be available on the UPA forum, and may have been in a way-back issue of Peafowl Today, or it could be that I am conflating two articles in my aging brain.
At any rate, there is little definitive or authoritative published literature as far as I can tell.
Starting from what we do know, we can look at some general parameters.
- Peafowl are not chickens. Technically, they are not poultry, they are pheasants. (However, the US Government, undaunted by biology, classifies them as "poultry" for FDA purposes.)
- Peafowl evolved in India and SE Asia, where the diet would not have included corn, alfalfa and other western ingredients. They do seem able to thrive on diets which include those. (Chickens, which were domesticated from jungle fowl, also are believed to have originated in those regions.)
- Free-ranging peafowl do eat a lot of insects and even lizards. Chickens also eat a lot of bugs, idk about lizards.
- Peafowl have somewhat different nutritional requirements than chickens. Feathers are composed largely of protein, and replacing feathers on peafowl is one example of a time when peafowl can be observed to need higher protein in order to grow healthy, vibrant plumage. Chickens do benefit from extra protein during molt as well.
- During certain growth phases, peafowl which consume very high levels of protein have been observed to experience higher rates of structural deformities (e.g. twisted tibia), perhaps as a result of growing too fast. This is similarly observed in turkeys and in large dogs versus small dogs, and even horses. In general, this phenomenon appears to be related to growth rate, adult body size AND age to maturity.
The phrase "chicken feed" includes quite a variety of feeds -- a trip to
Tractor Supply will quickly demonstrate a range of protein contents, calcium and other supplement content (laying feeds usually are supplemented with higher calcium), and kinds of ingredients. Chick starter, chick grower and layer all have different protein levels. Be aware that even the same "name" for a feed by the same manufacturer may not be the same across the US, as there are local/regional mills, and source ingredients may vary by availability and pricing in a particular region. There are also smaller mills and private label feeds which provide other options for some owners.
Notice that higher protein feeds, usually marketed as gamebird feeds (sold for turkeys, pheasants, quail, etc.) also are labeled as "show bird" feeds, with a recommendation to use them for showbirds including chickens. The extra protein makes for better plumage and body weight. More protein and more supplements often mean higher cost, as do some kinds of ingredients and/or protein sources.
There are a number of theories about how best to feed peafowl, and even more ideas about how to feed chickens -- a little searching on BYC will turn up a plethora of opinions. If there is any consensus, it seems to be the need for higher protein during certain life/growth stages.
The single most important thing any pea owner can do is to learn to carefully look at the birds and discern when they are thriving, when they are ailing, when they are in good body weight and plumage and when they are not. If you can look at a bird and tell its plumage is off, its weight is down, or it is too plump, whether it has sufficient energy or is subdued and showing subtle signs of illness, then everything else follows.
Also be aware that nutrition can be profoundly affected by bird health and regular preventative health care. Peafowl seem to be more susceptible to some parasitic organisms than other domesticated fowl. Raising peas with chickens and turkeys can expose them to more of those parasites. A pea with a high intestinal worm count will never reach the same level of robust health as one without, because the intestinal worms interfere with the pea's ability to take up nutrients and damage (in some cases, permanently damage) the pea's intestinal system and other internal organs.
The best feed in the world will not result in a robust, healthy bird if the bird is suffering from parasites such as worms, coccidia and blackhead. This is why many pea owners choose to worm preventatively on a regular basis; it is the reason that some commercial chick starters are "medicated" for coccidia (which is a leading cause of peachick death), and one of the reasons why learning to carefully observe the birds is key to keeping them healthy.
