Questions re: peafowl...

[Stormdog]

My 4yo grand-daughter & I have the "Ella & Poppy" project... Incubating & hatching eggs.

We've been successful with quail & ducks... now we want to try hatching a peacock! (I have a friend with a farm, & she is looking forward to providing a home for the peacocks if we are successful!)

Specifically, I'm concerned about humidity. Everything I've read so far makes peafowl eggs seem especially demanding regarding temp & humidity. (I read the same about ducks, but found that 2 rookies can get "close enough" in our homemade 'bator for successful duck hatching!)

How much... let's call it "slop"... do we have to work in? About the same as ducks? Do we NEED a wet bulb thermometer, or will our digital hydrometer/thermometer give us readings that are "close enough" for peafowl?

Anyone have any experience with peafowl? Any recommended "Peafowl for Idiots" or similar guides out there anyone knows of?

Thanks!

 

[deerman]

I use the digital about the same setting as for chickens. is your incubator forced air or still air??

I hatch a few hundred each year, I use all kind of tricks, to get the best hatch, but you should be able to hatch a few with setting for chickens.

I use broody hens for first week, then lay egg flat in auto turners, and also hand turn them 3 times a day also.

The feed and heath of the parent go a long way on getting strong peachicks to hatch.

Peafowl are alot like hatching turkey and neither hatch as easy as duck eggs.

 

[Stormdog]

Thanks!

BTW... I'm originally from "God's Country" also... Just south of Toledo! Got my book-smarts fancy learning from BGSU many years ago!

Should have just saved time & asked a Buckeye right from the start!