Do Peafowl dust bathe the same as chickens?
They love dust baths. When we had the peacocks in a completely closed pen we had one of the plastic kiddie pools in the filled with dirt, sand, diatomaceous earth and they would bathe forever. But they were only in the pen until they learned where they lived. Then they were allowed out .
But they love it even more if they can roam and dig their own holes.
What is a good book on Peafowl to add to my library for reference?
I have looked all over and haven't found any that are of any use. They don't have the details that are needed for someone to raise them. Find a farmers or veterinarian guide to turkeys because they are medically treated AS turkeys. In Spanish they are called Pavo Real which means Royal Turkey. Contact a local college that works with animals and get their recommendations for turkey information or find a turkey grower .
Do they like fruit such as blueberries n watermelon?
Peafowl like 'whatever' We had one group of four babies who would KILL for peas. We have others who won't go near a pea. I wouldn't get them 'HOOKED' on unnatural and non-nutritious things like watermelon or blue berries. I say unnatural because even though they MIGHT come across blueberries there is no way they would ever even try to eat a watermelon. Non-nutritious because they are basically sugar and water. Peacocks are grazers. They nibble here and then wander to the next nibble spot. They love seed heads, flowers, cherry tomatoes, bugs. They need and want a varied diet. But if you get them started on 'junk' food you can corrupt their palate just like our own palates have been corrupted. We have 20 acres of woods and pasture. Also two commercial greenhouses. The peacocks graze but they never over-eat any one particular item so it's safe for them to go in with the commercial plants. The only place where they cause any damage is the flower boxes around our front porch. They nibble the flowers but then they turn the boxes into bathing pits'
I just got a couple of peachicks that are around 2 to 3 weeks old. 1 is a black shoulder and 1 is a pied. The pied is more curious whereas the blackshoulder one is the shyest. Got them on chick start for game birds right now.
How long do you feed them the chick start for game birds?
Since they are actually turkeys (internally) they should be on turkey feed. Ours only have feed in their house and they only nibble on it. They prefer to eat whatever is growing or crawling around. And of course their daily treat of raw shelled peanuts and sunflower seeds
When do they need to be switched to adult feed?
And, can they eat flock raiser for the adult feed or do I need to keep them on a game bird feed?
Some people feed them commercial stuff their entire lives. I only provide it as an extra and in the winter when there is not much growing. Of course I am for natural for my animals and for myself. And you can't really experience living with peacocks unless they can roam free (and hang out on your front porch like a herd of dogs)
