Peachick handling and socializing tips

[Artistickatt]

I have had my peachicks for about 5 days now, and all is seeming to go well. Eating and drinking and growing more and more feathers. Since mine are 4-5 weeks old, I wanted to give them more room, so I have set up a day cage and night brooder. Transfers between the two cages have been tough and I think it stresses them and is not helping any attempts at handling/socializing them.

Any suggestions for this situation or tips on socializing with them?

Thx

 

[Waterfaery]

Did you find out their age then? I know you weren't sure before.

Hand feeding is what I have done. Just sitting quietly with the food in outstretched hand and waiting. Mine were raised by peahens in an aviary so a brooder situation is probably a bit different. I was able to sit in amongst them whereas you are reaching in to their space.

When I have had chicken chicks in a brooder, I put the brooder at eye level so that they could see me coming from the same level as them and not reaching down from above. They are primed to be aware of aerial predators.

I don't know about the transfer situation. Could you connect the two cages so that they can move between them?

It's probably a good thing that they're imprinted on each other and wary of you. When they imprint on people you can end up with aggressive peacocks. Having them cautious but growing to trust you is ideal. They will get friendlier over time. You just need to be patient and enjoy the process.