Peafowl feed question?

[reveriereptile]

We just got some peahens less than a week ago and have a few questions. The guy we got them from said to keep them in no less than 6 weeks or they will fly away. We have grain and water available at all times and I give them some grass and bread (last owners fed it to them as treats). They are a year old but they don't seem to eat much. The grain bucket was almost still full after a few days. Do they eat a lot or just a little? I want to make sure they are eating enough. I'm use to my other birds being little piggies.

 

[hatchcrazzzy]

you should be feeding game bird feed it is higher in protien we also give ours dog and cat food as a treat and greens plenty if greens peadocks fly if you have trees they will roost in them so i would think about keeping them up

 

[reveriereptile]

Thanks for the response. I'll have to look for some game feed then. They have some roosting places in the building we have them in. Once they can be let out there are plenty of trees around for them to get in.

 

[Kev]

Peafowl don't eat much.. unlike chickens and nevermind turkeys..

Do keep them confined as long as possible! Three months is better. They don't adapt to new home as well as anything else. Very important they have a good clear view of their new surroundings. Locking in a barn with little or no outside view does not work well most of the time. Let only one out at a time in case one wanders off too far, the locked up one can act as a call back.

 

[Broke Down Ranch]

One word of caution - be VERY sparing with the dog food-cat food treats. Yes, they love the stuff but it is very high in fat and will make your birds fat. Which in turn causes fertility problems and fat hens that get eggbound.

 

[Lophura]

An interesting diet for peafowl - http://www.gbwf.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=6119

Rather lengthy.

Dan