New babies

[DucksQuackMeUp]

This is Fiona. There is also King David, Krishna, and Padame.Of course Fiona could be Phoenix and David could be Danielle...These little birds follow me around the house when I take them out of the tub for exercise and socialization. I need to do something soon as Im one week they are outgrowing the space. May have to extend a shed that was previously used by goats and add some wire. Cutest little things!!

 

[GodLovesU]

Peafowl are gorgeous! I wish I had somewhere to keep them.

 

[Artistickatt]

New to babies this year too. Congrats! I can say that it is not advisable to have them on dirt until they are 4 months old. Their immune systems are not mature. There is a sticky that helped me out a BUNCH at the top of the forum that explains all of it. Mine are 7 weeks old now, and if you think they need space after 1 week, you will need a plan for the next couple months for sure.

 

[DucksQuackMeUp]

Peafowl are gorgeous! I wish I had somewhere to keep them.

Thanks so much. I'm just amazed the eggs hatched in the incubator. Total cute overload!

 

[DucksQuackMeUp]

New to babies this year too. Congrats! I can say that it is not advisable to have them on dirt until they are 4 months old. Their immune systems are not mature. There is a sticky that helped me out a BUNCH at the top of the forum that explains all of it. Mine are 7 weeks old now, and if you think they need space after 1 week, you will need a plan for the next couple months for sure.

Thank you regarding the response. I know they are a bit more vunerable and the mortality rate is high among chicks. I envisioned extending a shed previously used by the goats. Not sure what size wire. I have 1//4 inch covering shavings in the tub which is working great to keep shavings out of the water and food. Had to also cover the top as they are flying out. How high would you make the run? 10-12 feet? And how long for the four birds! The two males and female are free ranging on the farm and would be sleeping almost above them in a large tree fort about thirty feet up. So they would be near relatives. Ha ha. Also I hear sand is easier to clean. And a large enough door to walk into for cleaning. Then how long in captivity? I'm thinking at least six months. Thanks in advance for any help. And where is sticky note?

 

[Artistickatt]

(so with the exclaimer that I am also a newbie to peacocks, but I have raised chickens)

Nothing more than 1/2" hardcloth from everything I have read. It depends on your predators. I have everything from Coyotes, Foxes, Racoons, Ringtail Cats, Opossums on our ranch and all active. If you are expecting issues they say 1/4". And do yourself a favor and don't skimp on the price. For me I will do 1/4" pvc, galvanized on the shed and on a run (still debating in my head) 2x3 to 50" with a 18" predator skirt (because there is no digging into the bedrock we have), electrified (I think) on the outside of the run with a netting on top (especially recommended for birds that flush) that I will go up to about 10 feet with. My shed is having to be built and it is off a greenhouse plan, so I can use it for that later.

For penned peacocks I have seen anything recommended from 100sqft per bird to 150sqft per bird. But like you, I intend to free range here, and not specifically breed them. So you can end up with a situation where you are thinking they just need temporary lodging (sorta). The question is when do you expect to release them (6 months to nine months for me), and in that mean time how much space is needed for the age they are at, at a specific time of year, etc. But as a wise person told me a few weeks ago ...

Gramps said that you can't build a barn too big. If the occasion comes that you have to pen them up it is better to already have the pen built the correct size.

I asked a question on brooder bottom options, and KsKingBee had some good insight and pictures of what they do.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/brooder-bottom-options.1665939/

Sorry for the length of this, and that I am not more experienced with peafowl. Currently, I am reading everything I can get my hands on, hours a day. The wealth of info comes from the people who have done this the longest. I feel like the best thing I can do is read, and try not to ask too beginner a question. I know from my other hobbies, people appreciate it when you have done your homework. I was luckily to have been given good info here to start with, and that sticky thread has been a lifesaver a couple of times. I have some eggs arriving from a neighbor tomorrow to try to hatch <<crossing my fingers>>. I am so glad you didn't have any issues. I don't expect to be as lucky.

 

[DucksQuackMeUp]

Thank

(so with the exclaimer that I am also a newbie to peacocks, but I have raised chickens)

Nothing more than 1/2" hardcloth from everything I have read. It depends on your predators. I have everything from Coyotes, Foxes, Racoons, Ringtail Cats, Opossums on our ranch and all active. If you are expecting issues they say 1/4". And do yourself a favor and don't skimp on the price. For me I will do 1/4" pvc, galvanized on the shed and on a run (still debating in my head) 2x3 to 50" with a 18" predator skirt (because there is no digging into the bedrock we have), electrified (I think) on the outside of the run with a netting on top (especially recommended for birds that flush) that I will go up to about 10 feet with. My shed is having to be built and it is off a greenhouse plan, so I can use it for that later.

For penned peacocks I have seen anything recommended from 100sqft per bird to 150sqft per bird. But like you, I intend to free range here, and not specifically breed them. So you can end up with a situation where you are thinking they just need temporary lodging (sorta). The question is when do you expect to release them (6 months to nine months for me), and in that mean time how much space is needed for the age they are at, at a specific time of year, etc. But as a wise person told me a few weeks ago ...



I asked a question on brooder bottom options, and KsKingBee had some good insight and pictures of what they do.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/brooder-bottom-options.1665939/

Sorry for the length of this, and that I am not more experienced with peafowl. Currently, I am reading everything I can get my hands on, hours a day. The wealth of info comes from the people who have done this the longest. I feel like the best thing I can do is read, and try not to ask too beginner a question. I know from my other hobbies, people appreciate it when you have done your homework. I was luckily to have been given good info here to start with, and that sticky thread has been a lifesaver a couple of times. I have some eggs arriving from a neighbor tomorrow to try to hatch <<crossing my fingers>>. I am so glad you didn't have any issues. I don't expect to be as lucky.

Thank you for this great response. Don't be so hard on yourself regarding expectations and hatching. I was totally surprised when I had some pipping going on as I was uncertain how long the female (sitting on the ravine) had been out there sitting. The two males and female free range and occassionally I don't see them for a couple days. It's a big place here and lot's of dirt and excation going on. So when we got the eggs I set the timer for 21 days thinking Mom had been on them for 7. Low and behold a week later I had a pip and then a peep. Out of five eggs, four hatched. They are currently in my walk-in bathroom shower. They are little escape artists. Once I moved them into the bathroom (where it was warmer) and put the heat lamp closer, they seemed to collaspe in exhaustion. Stretched out and lounging under the heat lamp. Honestly they all looked dead. But they were soaking in the heat. And if you take them out( advise for socialization and exercise) be careful! They will follow you everywhere, get under foot, and can get hurt. In fact Friday all four were out and I opened the frig and a full unopened bottle of Kifer fell out and hit Fiona! I was devastated and heartbroken. She seemed dazed and kept closing her eyes and she couldnt keep her head up. I sat with her and sobbed and breathed life into her little beak with the help of the Holy fellow above and around us. I had a schedued cardiology appointment and left her with a friend who kept close tabs on her on her bed. When I got home she was fine!!!!Jesus saved her. Thank you for all of your recommendations regarding the housing situation. Much needed advise!!! And remember, You will do fine!! I liked the idea of 1/4 inch wire covering shavings in the tub. The shavings wont get in the water or food. But they do grow fast. So be ready. Thanks Again!

 

[Artistickatt]

Oh my, poor baby. I am glad she is doing better. Funny how we predetermine their gender before we know it. I am going to laugh so hard if mine are wrong. I have got the chick portion down, 4 to 8 weeks so far. The hatching to 4 weeks I have not done. I was reading one of my books today and thought of you when I read this.

I moved my guys to a rabbit hutch today they have been outside on my screen porch since I got them. I have kitties so no inside for the birds.

 

[SouthernParadise]

Thank

Thank you for this great response. Don't be so hard on yourself regarding expectations and hatching. I was totally surprised when I had some pipping going on as I was uncertain how long the female (sitting on the ravine) had been out there sitting. The two males and female free range and occassionally I don't see them for a couple days. It's a big place here and lot's of dirt and excation going on. So when we got the eggs I set the timer for 21 days thinking Mom had been on them for 7. Lo and behold a week later I had a pip and then a peep. Out of five eggs, four hatched. They are currently in my walk-in bathroom shower. They are little escape artists. Once I moved them into the bathroom (where it was warmer) and put the heat lamp closer, they seemed to collaspe in exhaustion. Stretched out and lounging under the heat lamp. Honestly they all looked dead. But they were soaking in the heat. And if you take them out( advise for socialization and exercise) be careful! They will follow you everywhere, get under foot, and can get hurt. In fact Friday all four were out and I opened the frig and a full unopened bottle of Kifer fell out and hit Fiona! I was devastated and heartbroken. She seemed dazed and kept closing her eyes and she couldnt keep her head up. I sat with her and sobbed and breathed life into her little beak with the help of the Holy fellow above and around us. I had a schedued cardiology appointment and left her with a friend who kept close tabs on her on her bed. When I got home she was fine!!!!Jesus saved her. Thank you for all of your recommendations regarding the housing situation. Much needed advise!!! And remember, You will do fine!! I liked the idea of 1/4 inch wire covering shavings in the tub. The shavings wont get in the water or food. But they do grow fast. So be ready. Thanks Again!

They do indeed grow very quick. This is my boy raja when he was 12 weeks old and 16 weeks old. He was like a puppy too. Would step up onto my arm when I said “step up”. Rode around on my shoulder. At 4 months I put him outside onto grass for the first time. I was a parrot breeder for 30 years. Ive been breeding chickens for the past 10 years. But peafowl are hands down my favorite birds so far. They’re smart like parrots with just a twinge of that wildness that keeps them exotic.

 

[Artistickatt]

I can’t imagine mine that big yet. I thought they would not be a tremendously smart bird. Our wild Turkeys are dumber than a box of rocks usually. But they continue to surprise me. I got my two at 4 weeks old and they had not been socialized. It has been a bit of a challenge, but I have gotten one of mine, to step to my hand for a worm. They are only just now 9 weeks. I grew up with parrots and training them to the hand seemed like the best thing to train first,