Tips for starting with peafowl

[GarrettW]

I've been looking for either peachicks or hatching eggs to buy, but before I make a purchase I'd like some advice and/or tips for starting with peafowl.

These are my main questions, but any information you can give will help:

What kind of feed do I need?
Are they able to be tamed like other poultry?
Are they safe around other poultry (specifically turkeys)?
Whats the easiest variety to start with?
How much space do they need?

 

[KsKingBee]

This is the best place to start: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/peafowl-sticky-topics-index.389059/ T
to answer your questions I will say gamebird feed, Yes, they can be tamed but do not imprint a cock as they usually get territorial and if they have no fear of you they can become nasty to you during the breeding season. Yes they can be with other poultry but you will need to be sure to stay up on the deworming schedule. India Blue are the least expensive to start with. If you plan to keep them contained in a pen you will need at least 150 sf per bird.

 

[Midnightman14]

Be prepared to pay a decent chunk of change even for india blues. Peafowl are harder to raise than chickens and the price reflects that. Also next to nothing involved in the care of other poultry applies well to peafowl so definitely don't treat them like chickens or domestic turkeys.

 

[GarrettW]

This is the best place to start: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/peafowl-sticky-topics-index.389059/

None of the things you mentioned would have been a problem, but after reading that thread I learned that they are not quite as hardy as I thought. Which is a problem because the winters get pretty harsh. I also did not realize that they'd need vaccinations. I don't think peafowl are for me.

 

[GarrettW]

Be prepared to pay a decent chunk of change even for india blues. Peafowl are harder to raise than chickens and the price reflects that. Also next to nothing involved in the care of other poultry applies well to peafowl so definitely don't treat them like chickens or domestic turkeys.

I knew they would be harder to care for. What I didn't realize was that they lacked the hardiness (particularly when it comes to weather) of other poultry, and that they also required vaccinations or de-wormers.
I don't think peafowl are for me.

 

[KsKingBee]

None of the things you mentioned would have been a problem, but after reading that thread I learned that they are not quite as hardy as I thought. Which is a problem because the winters get pretty harsh. I also did not realize that they'd need vaccinations. I don't think peafowl are for me.

I am sorry to hear that you will not be getting peafowl, we love our birds and love for others to enjoy what we enjoy so much. However, it is good that you find out now that they might not be for you rather than getting them and having to suffer heartbreak later.

 

[old biddy]

I am sorry to hear that you will not be getting peafowl, we love our birds and love for others to enjoy what we enjoy so much. However, it is good that you find out now that they might not be for you rather than getting them and having to suffer heartbreak later.View attachment 2778444

Ohhh...I wish I could bring my birds down to our pond and sit with them on our dock...but for the alligators...