Peafowl for 2013

[kuntrygirl]

I am excited about this year's pea breeding, laying and hatching. Last year was my first year with hatching peas and it went ok (I guess). Although I only ended the year with 2 of the 4 that hatched (1 died after having leg problems within a week after hatching and then the other pea got sick and died ) I'm still happy. And a very generous BYC'er Terri was so VERY kind to give me a trio of peas. Terri is just too kind for her own good. (Thanks again Teri). So, I have 9 peas going into the new year.

I was so lucky to hatch out a white pea and I am hoping for more white peas and more females.

What is everyone hoping for with this year's breeding, laying and hatching? Is anyone lucky enough to be getting eggs right now? I think it's too early but ya never know.

 

[groundpecker]

I would love to have a breeding pair of peafowl. I have come across "not so good" keepers and breeders and very expensive birds from those who treat their birds well. I am still looking, maybe one day i can own a few.

 

[kuntrygirl]

I would love to have a breeding pair of peafowl. I have come across "not so good" keepers and breeders and very expensive birds from those who treat their birds well.   I am still looking, maybe one day i can own a few.

Oh, I'm sure that you will find some sooner than you think. Do you know of anyone on BYC near you? If you have an incubator, maybe a BYC'er can mail you some pea eggs. What breed are you looking for?

 

[groundpecker]

I tried to hatch eggs last summer with no success.

I do not know much about peafowl, but i would like either india blue or white/silver colors.

 

[kuntrygirl]

The India Blues are great to have. Last year was my first year hatching in the incubator and I was able to hatch only 2. I'm hoping to have a better hatch this year.

What kind of incubator do you have?

 

[groundpecker]

I have a hovabator with fan and autoturner. I have had great success with chicken and quail eggs in this bator.

 

[kuntrygirl]

How many eggs did you try to hatch? What was wrong? What happened?

 

[frenchblackcopper]

Groundpecker,,enter the most difficult aspect of peafowl!! And that is to get the buggers to hatch! Many of us find that buying shipped fertile eggs to hatch may be a cheeper way to get into peafowl but hatchrates are not that good especially if the eggs are shipped more than 2-300 miles and takes more than 3 days to get to you.I have one of the best incubators made,it will hatch a rock if fertile.Chicken and quail eggs was nothing to hatch with this,but peafowl is a new arena.Even if the eggs are fertile manytimes we get "quitters" for unknown reasons.Those that do make it to "pipping" sometimes takes an incredibly long time to get out and then we have crooked toe issues.Or splayed legs.But every once in awhile,,everything comes together and a healthy,happy peachick emerges.Small,but GIANT triumps,one egg at a time.

 

[AugeredIn]

I am sure we will be one of the first ones with eggs, but we are still two months away from the first ones. The boys are already ready, willing and able but the girls are not interested yet.

Our hatch rate is pretty good but our fertility sucked last year due to the weather we believe. I am just hoping for good fertility and at least average laying numbers. We are prepared for bunches of eggs and chicks. I am going to hatch a number of my early eggs on the pointy ends again. If I get the same increased hatch rates, they are all going pointy end down this year.

We don't have a bunch or "new" colors this year so I am not expecting much there. Our Spalding Cameos will interest me most this year as we should get a bunch. I love their color. Looks like no Peach for us this year.

 

[destinduck]

Ill know shortly wether I will have a breeder age java hen to go with my boy or boys now I should say. Im definitely getting another male (5 yr old) this week because my buddy dont want to have to feed three males so Im giving him a brinsea incubator and a little cash. Good horse trading! I hope this isnt peafowl addiction. Lord help me. LOL!