Peafowl in the Backyard – Beauty, Brains, or Both?

[BYC Project Manager]

Peafowl are some of the most striking birds you can keep—those vibrant feathers, the proud strut, and of course, that unforgettable call. Many people are drawn to them for their beauty alone, but those who’ve spent time around them know they’ve got big personalities too.

Some keepers say they act more like watchdogs, alerting the whole yard when someone approaches. Others love how social (and sometimes sassy!) they can be with chickens, ducks, or even people. On the flip side, there are challenges like their loud calls, space needs, or the way they love to perch in the most unexpected places.

So let’s chat:

• Have you ever kept peafowl, or are they on your “someday” list?
• What do you think is their best trait—the looks, the personality, or their usefulness as a guard-bird?
• For those with experience, do they get along with your flock, or do they prefer their own company?
• And be honest - how do you (and your neighbors!) feel about their call during breeding season?

Whether you’ve got a full roost of peacocks or just admire them from afar, peafowl always seem to spark stories. Let’s hear yours!

 

[PeaShack]

I am new to peafowl and hatched out 4 spaldings from eBay eggs. They just turned 11 weeks old and it feels like they are doubling in size daily. We are about to build a new, larger pen to give them more space for zoomies.

Such beautiful but silly creatures. Today Peabody looked more like a vulture in a party sequined dress. Last week Kenneth stomped on a bed of Mexican Petunias and decorated his back end in the process.

 

[Finchbreeder]

Never kept them. But have observed them at different times and locations.
A friend who was Caretaker of a Local Golf Club used to semi free range his there, and that was popular with Tourists, but less so occasionally with the members.
University of West Aust has had them free ranging there for years and years, they perch in the trees and on the balconies and can be found from ground level to a couple of stories up.

 

[KsKingBee]

I am new to peafowl and hatched out 4 spaldings from eBay eggs. They just turned 11 weeks old and it feels like they are doubling in size daily. We are about to build a new, larger pen to give them more space for zoomies.

Such beautiful but silly creatures. Today Peabody looked more like a vulture in a party sequined dress. Last week Kenneth stomped on a bed of Mexican Petunias and decorated his back end in the process.

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Be sure to change out that metal roost for a flat wooden one before it gets cold. Cold metal and not being able to cover his toes will lead to frostbite.

 

[PeaShack]

Be sure to change out that metal roost for a flat wooden one before it gets cold. Cold metal and not being able to cover his toes will lead to frostbite.

They are actually sitting on the top of their current pen. The roost bars inside are wooden sawhorses of different heights and one roost bar made of branches.

Fortunately, in SE Texas we rarely get freezes. BUT, there are freak ones now and again, usually don’t last more than a day and hardly ever below 30F. The 2021 Texas Freeze was an exception. I’ve read that Spaldings may not be as cold tolerant as India Blues, so we are considering different options for any possible freezes. Any ideas are welcome! (It would need to be easy to set up and then take down since the day after a freeze it could pop back up 70F.) I was thinking about hanging tarps around the sides and some sort of space heater (protected from the elements) placed outside but blowing warm air in the pen.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

The petting farm I work at has 2 peacocks. I feel bad for them because they have a super small circular run with cement for the ground and a small coop. And 1 perch in their run.

 

[PeaShack]

The petting farm I work at has 2 peacocks. I feel bad for them because they have a super small circular run with cement for the ground and a small coop. And 1 perch in their run.

Awww. I wonder if the owners would be amenable to upgrading their space?

 

[KsKingBee]

They are actually sitting on the top of their current pen. The roost bars inside are wooden sawhorses of different heights and one roost bar made of branches.

Fortunately, in SE Texas we rarely get freezes. BUT, there are freak ones now and again, usually don’t last more than a day and hardly ever below 30F. The 2021 Texas Freeze was an exception. I’ve read that Spaldings may not be as cold tolerant as India Blues, so we are considering different options for any possible freezes. Any ideas are welcome! (It would need to be easy to set up and then take down since the day after a freeze it could pop back up 70F.) I was thinking about hanging tarps around the sides and some sort of space heater (protected from the elements) placed outside but blowing warm air in the pen.

Consider using wiggle wire and channel for temporary installment of tarps. The same system used for high tunnels and green house plastic. Mid to high Hybrids, (Spaldings) will be fine in a good windbreak down to the teens for a short while without heat. High Hybrids should have some heat to keep them above freezing. https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/pro...ce=bing&utm_term=lock channel and wiggle wire

 

[PeaShack]

Consider using wiggle wire and channel for temporary installment of tarps. The same system used for high tunnels and green house plastic. Mid to high Hybrids, (Spaldings) will be fine in a good windbreak down to the teens for a short while without heat. High Hybrids should have some heat to keep them above freezing. https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/products/spring-wire-lock-channel-bundle?msclkid=e7a6fbce86b51f464e24932c0016e9cc&utm_campaign=Greenhouse Accessories&utm_content=Wiggle Wire&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=bing&utm_term=lock channel and wiggle wire

Thank you! I suspect they are not high % java, so hopefully will be fine in our winters with good windbreak.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

Awww. I wonder if the owners would be amenable to upgrading their space?

Probably not.