Two Questions - Need answers please!

[TerriLaChicks]

(1) At what age do peas get their full body growth - I'm not talking about male tails, but trying to determine how old will my peachicks be when they reach their full adult size in terms of body length and height. They are growing so fast! They are 5 months old now.

(2) What is the best way to catch them to move them to another pen? Right now all of mine are in my "grow-out" pen, but in a few weeks they will be moved to their larger, permanent location. Is it best to catch them at night when they are on the roost? or during the day?

Thanks in advance for answers.

 

[jrsqlc]

Quote:
1) Unsure...I would like to know myself

2) I get them at night or use a poultry net during the day....alot of people use fishing nets and I would advise against that!!! My friend tried catching his peas the other day and as the pea ran into the net, his head went through the fish netting and his body kept moving forward....well it wasnt good....the bird broke his back and has laid in the same spot for 2 days. I am unsure what he did with the bird now....but that is why I dont use fishing nets.

 

[6littlechickies]

Seems that they are pretty grown out by 6 months or so. They may get a little bigger but not much. Color out in a year, longer for full wing and back color if BS. Trains in year 2. I tend to handle mine at dusk, they are settled and I can lift them to check their weight and assess general health. If the roost is not over your head then you can lift them off or try to gently move them. I can get them to move to a board I hold and then gently move them. I can only do this with the ones on the lower roosts, but they tend to swap out roosts often enough. If you try to catch them during the day then they should be much more lively and handled with care. Wear gloves either way, they have pretty sharp nails.

 

[zazouse]

I don't know how many you have to move but i have 5 and when i got ready to move them i placed their food in this box my DH made for me, once they were in i shut the door and moved box and all into the new area.
Two people can move the box, but he made it on a pallet so i can pick it up with my tractor forks.

Mabe you have something like this that you could use like a wire dog kenel.

Do you have any pic's to share of your pretties?

 

[TerriLaChicks]

Excellent ideas and thank you all for posting them. Yes I do have a crate that will work. I have six to move in a couple of weeks.

 

[deerman]

Yearly for most of the size. start getting their color fall after they are a year old ,most will have full color when 2 yr old, now even Blackshoulders at 2 yr old will still have a few light color feathers as 2 yr old.


pic of 2 yr old BS ....NOTE he doesn't have all his color, but does have most.....he is also split peach.

 

[deerman]

yes the crate sound good for moving them, fishing net for male with full trains. Catching off the roost at night, works yes glove good idea, i have many cuts from spurs and toe nail, just because i forgot my gloves.

With the tame chicks i catch by legs, but then they may take a day or two b4 taken food from your hands.

 

[i<3chickens]

Ok I have a stupid question---Do peahens need a peacock to lay eggs or are they like chickens where they can lay with or without a male?

 

[deerman]

yes they will lay without peacocks.

 

[i<3chickens]

Ok thanks