Peahen and her chick in the cold

[Annika514]

We are having a few days of freezing (20 degrees) temperatures here in Idaho. I have a barn with a heat lamp in it but the newest hen and chick we brought home this summer have not gone to it. They are free range and sitting on the deck in the wind and cold! I’m afraid she doesn’t want to go to the barn because of the snow, but worried they will freeze! How hardy are peafowl? My other peacocks have lived here forever and they go in the barn on cold nights but I’m worried about our newbies. Thanks!

 

[Bird_Lover_17]

From my research, peafowls are not cold hardy and require a heat source (like the heat lamp you have for her/her chick). The lamp will keep her warm, as well as keep her chick warm.

 

[LaFemmeKatia]

Can you put them in the barn and keep them in there until they feel more familiar with it. When they feel the warmth they might decide they like it.

 

[KsKingBee]

Do all the feeding and watering inside the barn and they will go in. IB's are very winter hearty and do not need additional heat and momma should cover the baby just fine without a heat source. She is the heat source for the baby.

 

[Annika514]

Thanks all, so much. They are free roaming and do go to the barn during snow and rain. I was actually surprised to wake up Saturday and see she had left the barn in the snowstorm to roost in the tree. I do all feed and watering in the barn and the two males go in there in extreme weather but mamma was adamant about roosting in the tree. They seem okay this morning - should I look for any signs of frostbite? It got down to 12 degrees last night. Warming up a little today and everyone is in the sun.