nursing back to health

[Twin Mom]

Received my first peacock last night. Back ground is he was at a vets office. Vet put out a mirror to keep him away from his car. Bird attacked the mirror got very cut up. Is now on meds for wounds and my friend a tech there brought him to me. I have chickens, ducks, and guinea fowl. Do I need to get a second peafowl for him? All of the others free range and are locked in coop at night. Once healed (2 weeks of meds) I'd like to let him out, just want to make sure he stays around.

 

[PeepsCA]

IME, mature Peafowl usually take longer than a couple/few weeks to imprint on a new home to the point they will stick around when they are let out to free range. They need plenty of time to forget about their previous home so they don't wander off trying to find where they used to live. Plus if you've been handling him to medicate him then as soon as you let him out he may take off to get away from being handled again. With it being the tail end of breeding season (which is most likely why he was fighting with the "other Peacock" in the mirror at the vet's office), he may wander off looking for a mate or other Peafowl. If possible I'd find a healthy Peahen for him ASAP... and then keep them both penned (separated from your other poultry) for at least a couple months so they have time to bond with each other as well as acclimate to where their new home/shelter is, and where their new source of food & water is.

This is JMO and what I would do, others may have different advice.

 

[Twin Mom]

Thank you PeepsCA! I've been reading as much as I can so I do the right things and give the best care possible.

 

[Trefoil]

My experience coincides with Peeps. I've "lost" 3 peacocks from being let out too early. One I had for months and he just decided one day to go visiting.

 

[casportpony]

I almost lost one the same way... He strayed up the road, was caught and given away. Luckily I got him back.

-Kathy

 

[new 2 pfowl]

Also, it would be easier to offer opinions about free ranging if you could give us some information about your setting/neighborhood. For example, how large is your property? Are you near a busy road? Do you have friendly or unfriendly neighbors? Predators?

Peas are unbelievably nosy and curious, and even if they know where "home" is, they'll want to see what's next door, down the road, over the hill, etc!!

 

[zazouse]

How old is your pea?
How long was he living at the vets before he got hurt?
How far is the vets place from yours?

 

[Twin Mom]

We are on 9 acres. The guineas are known to go over two properties, and we've had no problems. We have had a coyote problem off and on, so the neighbor got a donkey. Since then I haven't seen any in the last two months. No idea how old, he has a full very large tail. The vet is a little over 30 mins. away. Hope this helps. My friend is trying to get more info.