Buying Peafowl for Free Roaming

 If your in the market for Peacocks/Peahens to roam your property then we have a few tips that might help keep them happy and at home.

 (1) WHEN SHOULD I BUY PEAFOWL?

Try to buy your Peafowl at the start of the Breeding season, as you will “Lock them up” for a Minimum of 3 Months (Young) or 6 Months (Adult) this will ensure when you do release them it won’t be the breeding season.
 
(2) WHAT SHOULD I BUY?

You should always try to buy a TRIO that is a Peacock & Two Peahens that are of the same or similar age.
 
(3) WHY BUY A TRIO?

If you were to buy two Peacocks and One Peahen then you may have problems come breeding season one male may chase off the other or one may simply leave in search of his own mate or both may leave for the same reason taking the Peahen in the process.
 
(4) WHAT IF A BUY JUST PEACOCKS (MALES)?

This is a risky move and almost certainly will end with them leaving in search of a mate. (Refer to 6 for Options)
 
(5) I’VE BEEN TOLD IF I BUY PEACOCKS YOUNG THEY WILL STAY?

Buying Peacocks (Males) young will increase your odds of success but when the birds reach breeding age and there are no Peahens, their breeding urges will outweigh any loyalty in their mind they MUST breed.
 
(6) WHAT IF I DON’T WANT PEAHENS (FEMALES) OR TO BREED THEM?

 It is Possible to just have Peacocks (Males) with no Peahens (Females) and have them Roaming around. If you purchase young Peacocks then for the first 18 Months you shouldn’t have many issues it’s after the age of 2 that the birds mature. This option applies to Peacocks 2 years or over and should help keep your Peacocks at Home. As the breeding season approaches, you will know this by the Peacocks developing their TRAIN (Tail) once the Train reaches half growth (approx 0.7 Meters) you will have to “LOCK THEM UP” you can do this with little fuss by offering food in the pen, once they enter, close the door. Keep them “Locked Up” for the entire breeding season you will know when it’s over as the Peacocks will shed their Train, when they have completely shed their Train you can then open the pen door and let them out.
 
(7) WHAT IF A DON’T WANT TO “LOCK THEM UP” FOR THE BREEDING SEASON

Refer to 4 for the likely outcome.
 
(8) I ALREADY HAVE A PEACOCK AND NO PEAHENS?

Follow option (6)
 
Peacocks Australia
                                      
ARTICLE WRITTEN: JUNE 2005