Peafowl pen question

[Kris B]

I just bought a year old pair peafowl from a friend. He said I needed to keep them in the pen for at least a month before I let them out during the day. He said they will learn where home is if you keep them penned up for a month.

What do you guys think? Should I keep them in longer? Any other ideas about this?

Thanks

 

[Kev]

Longer is always better. Yearling are young birds, which generally accept a new home much better than older birds. You want to also have them not afraid of you so they will come up to you when hungry, at feeding time or just plain curious. Otherwise if still shy of you they might just head for the hills if you try to approach them while free range.

Very important nothing scares them or anybody tries to chase or catch them during their first few days free. Be calm, if you must herd, do so passively- just stand there and block their path(can use broom or rake to extend your arms and blocking range) or toss tidbits in the direction you want them to go in. Do not shoo them out of the pen, you must simply open the door and wait for them to walk out on their own. It is also good idea to let only one out at a time so the penned bird can act as a call back/lure to keep the other close by.

 

[Kris B]

Thanks a lot. This seems to be good advice!

 

[Kev]

No problem. Some of the advice were lessons learned the hard way.. hate to have them happen to someone else.