Peafowl question (after hatch)

[CARS]

Last weekend Mrs. Pea hatched her 4 eggs. The chicks are eating, drinking, and following mom around the pen. I think everyone is fine in the pen.

Mr. Pea on the other hand is just kinda stumbling around. It's been very hot and humid, so I understand he doesn't have the energy to do much "strolling" around the farm but what concerns me is that since Sunday, he is dropping his feathers all over. Alot of feathers.

Do they drop feathers when they are hot or does it have something to do with the stress of being a new father

 

[Kedreeva]

Neither! At the end of the breeding season, they drop their entire train and regrow it for the next year. It helps them to keep their feathers in top shape and keep that perfect half-moon shape to their tail when they are fertile. After their train drops, their fertility also drops- and the hens should stop laying shortly as well. Unlike chickens etc, peas are season breeders only!

 

[CARS]

Thanks! Good to know it's just time for new feathers.

Another question, should Mr. Pea be in the pen with the family? Or is that just crowding the little ones by having a second adult in their space.

 

[Kedreeva]

As long as the male isn't picking on mom or the kids, I would think it's ok to leave them.

 

[CARS]

He is still out roaming. I was just wondering if he would add anything to the chick's upbringing. Teach them things???

 

[Kedreeva]

I'd guess probably not going to teach the kids that much, at least nothing mom won't teach them. Papa's job is pretty much done before the eggs even get laid