To cage or free range

[jjpeacock]

Thanks for the info. So I defiantly have 1 or more Spalding then. Learning more everyday about these beautiful curious birds.

 

[casportpony]

Looks very nice!

-Kathy

 

[starz]

Hey everyone. I'm hoping to get some advise. I'm just starting to look in to starting my own peafowl flock and need all the advise and tips anyone can offer. I've read a lot of blogs and internet research, and just want to be as prepared as possible so it goes smoothly. I live in bc canada if that helps lol

 

[MinxFox]

Basically all the advise and tips are in this peafowl section. As long as you are researching the main stuff - housing, feeding, and health related things such as worming and have a fairly good understanding with that and you also have your pen and shelter built and ready for the birds then you should be ready. None of us went into owning peafowl knowing everything there was to know about them. You learn a lot more once you have them and can learn from experience. The main issue you will have to deal with is the cold. I am guessing you will most definitely need to have an indoor area where you will keep the peafowl over the winter. The aviary top needs to be able to withstand snow. Being in Florida I don't have any experience with snow or overwintering birds indoors. There are certainly people in Canada with peafowl and here is a link that if you scroll down you will see a few people in Canada with peafowl: http://unitedpeafowlassociation.org/Internationalbreeders1.html

I would definitely ask Canadian peafowl breeders what they do for the winter. @Arbor on here is in Canada.

Here is a link to the articles on my site that might help in your search for more peafowl info: http://bamboopeacock.com/Articles.html

 

[showmestatebill]

As Kskingbee said you will have to pen them for a few months until you are sure they know where home is. 7 1/2 fence sounds high, it isn't. It is unbelievable high they can jump then add a couple of wing beats and its good bye. The aviary you mentioned is a good idea but it will have to have a roof or netting or chicken wire top. You will need to build a couple of roost bars at least 3 + feet above the ground. Spend some time with them. We sit in an old lawn chair in their pen and toss them treats. They will tame down for you faster that way. After several weeks you can let them out for a while to browse everyday, then herd them back in. Just remember to walk slowly or they will spook. My wife carries the treat zip lock bag and I carry about a four foot stick with trail marker tape hanging from one end. It helps to block them when they want to suddenly turn to get around you. Usually I don't need it now because of the treat bag. They are unbelievable fast also. Think of an Asian version of our Wild Turkey. They both like to fly up at night and browse on the ground. Their natural defense is to run and hide first and fly land and run last. They even walk and display the same. Good luck.

 

[jjpeacock]

I was wondering if anyone knows if it's ok for the peafowl to spend the night in the rain. My cage is 12 wide x 33 long. The height varies from 12 x 15 ft. Apx 1/3 is covered, But they always sleep on the perch that is out side no matter the weather. Should I cover part of that end for shelter? Thanks for your input.

 

[KsKingBee]

I covered my outside roosts because they insist to sleep outside at night. During the day they will go inside when it is either very hot or when it is rainy and or windy.

 

[barkerg]

I was wondering if anyone knows if it's ok for the peafowl to spend the night in the rain. My cage is 12 wide x 33 long. The height varies from 12 x 15 ft. Apx 1/3 is covered, But they always sleep on the perch that is out side no matter the weather. Should I cover part of that end for shelter? Thanks for your input.

Ive never had an issue with rain on a temporary basis but, some kind of cover will be needed at some time during the year. I would try to give them shelter from the wind for sure as Ive had more issues from wind than rain. As stated earlier, they can jump really high without the effort of wings and you dont want to make the ceiling to short or they can jump and break their necks. I just lost my best green rooster to a freak accident 1 Jan 2016 when he jumped straight up and broke his neck by hitting the perch. Hope this helps.

Gerald Barker

 

[showmestatebill]

My enclosed chicken pen has a roof on it now and also I wrapped heavy clear plastic around it to stop the winter wind. My Pea's like to spend the night in an adjacent Cedar tree at night. If I try to get them rounded up into the chicken run, 14x 30 with the chickens about an hour before dark to keep them all out of the night winter wind and weather.
I don't think rain will hurt them due to their dense back feathers. Still like any thing feathered they look pitiful when wet. The breeder I bought them from said they roosted in trees all winter. He often saw them covered with snow in the morning that they would shake off and then fly down. Still to me ... why risk it. They could get frost bitten toes if they branch is not large enough for them rest on and keep warm. I put a 4x4 post [over kill] horizontal on one end and a 2x4 on the other of the run for them to roost on both work out fine for winter roosts.

 

[msmolly]

I have a yard some what like yours with garden and waterfalls, so I'm posting pics of the aviary/pen I built. Its attached to the garage, which shelters one wall, the coop(house) being inside the pen and accesible from inside the garage- which in a snowy climate makes life easier. The pen is made of chain link, ordered special in 1" link squares instead of the standard 2"- to keep predators out.
The roof has an extra high peek in the middle allowing for perches over 8" high. Peafowl really like high perches, and the hens are more apt to bring their chicks in to roost that high even at just 6 days old- otherwise they take the chicks out into the woods to roost in the trees- and well....
And no matter how nice their home is, they will roam and they will go for higher ground. Offering lots of good, high perches where they can watch their domain is attractive for peas.

Even after having your birds well acclimated and bonded to their cage- make sure to have a regular routine of calling them home with treats before dusk. Start the training and calling with treats now- so they are good and hooked by summer. Also, put ID bands on them- see posts and threads about ID bands.
Good Luck