Peacocks are beautiful, exotic birds that can make a great addition to any backyard or small farm. With their iridescent tail feathers and distinct call, peacocks add charm and interest to outdoor spaces. While peafowl (the term used to refer to both peacocks and peahens) do require some special considerations when it comes to care, housing, and neighbors, they can be successfully raised by backyard keepers given proper preparation and commitment. This article will cover everything you need to know about keeping peafowl, from choosing birds to constructing housing and handling common issues. With the right approach, you can enjoy these regal birds as backyard pets.
Are peacocks legal to own?
Laws regarding peafowl ownership vary by municipality. Many areas allow peafowl, while others ban them or restrict the number you can keep. Before obtaining any birds, check your local laws to ensure peafowl are permitted in your area. Even if legal, your neighbors may object to noisy or intrusive peacocks, so factor them into your decision as well. Providing proper housing and care can help minimize complaints. Overall, urban and suburban areas tend to impose more ownership restrictions, while rural locales provide more flexibility. Do diligent research to ensure you can legally own peacocks where you live.
What kind of permit or license is needed?
Most areas do not require special permits or licenses to own peafowl. However, some locales mandate registration of peacocks, limit the number you can keep, or require permits for ownership. For example, some cities like Los Angeles require a permit to keep more than 2 peacocks on a standard residential lot. Check municipal codes for any relevant ordinances pertaining to peafowl in your specific area. This will ensure you meet any regulations and qualify for a permit if one is necessary. Licenses are rarely needed for peacock ownership, but always verify rules in your city or county.
Do I need to tell my neighbors if I get a peacock?
You don’t need legal permission from neighbors to obtain a peacock. However, peacocks can be noisy, so it’s considerate to give neighbors a heads up. Neighbors are more likely to tolerate peacocks when they aren’t caught off guard by loud calls at dawn. Talk to adjoining property owners before acquiring your birds, explain plans for housing, and assure them you’ll properly manage issues like noise, wandering birds, and droppings. Offer contact information in case of complaints. While not legally required, communicating with neighbors and addressing concerns upfront can prevent problems down the road if peacocks become a nuisance.
How much space do peacocks need?
Peacocks are active birds that need adequate space to thrive. Below are general space recommendations:
- 1-3 peafowl: 1/4 acre yard or larger
- 4-5 peafowl: 1/2 acre yard or larger
- More than 5: One acre or more ideal
The more peafowl you keep, the larger yard or land area needed. Birds kept in crowded conditions may become aggressive and territorial. Adequate space reduces stress and allows them to establish natural social hierarchies. Even if legally allowed in your area, rethink getting peacocks if your property is smaller than 1/4 acre. Optimal space gives them room to roam, forage, display feathers, and get away from more dominant flock members if needed. Free-ranging is ideal, but confinement may be necessary in smaller yards.
How much does it cost to raise a peacock?
Here are estimated costs for raising peacocks:
Expense | Cost |
---|---|
Purchase price per bird | $50-300 |
Housing materials | $300-800 |
Fencing | $5-15/foot |
Feed | $5-10/month per bird |
Routine medical care | $50-100 per bird annually |
Actual costs vary based on number of peafowl kept, housing choices, feeding regimen, and healthcare needs. Bulk purchases of feed and basic housing options help lower expenses. Vet bills add costs if birds have health issues. Total yearly expenses range from $500-$2,000 depending on flock size and needs. Peacocks are not hugely expensive birds, but do require an initial investment and ongoing costs. Their extra needs make them less suited for very budget-conscious owners.
What are good peacock breeds for backyard flocks?
Some peafowl breeds better suit small residential settings. Recommended options include:
- India Blue: Smaller and less loud than other breeds. Male plumage has vibrant blue-green neck feathers.
- Black-Shouldered: Adapts well to confinement. Male has bright blue neck feathers and black shoulders.
- Java Green: Calm disposition. Male has vibrant green neck feathers. Female is white.
- Purple: Male has striking purple and green neck feathers. Female is white. Smaller size.
Avoid very large breeds like Congo peafowl that need extensive space. Stick to breeds under 22 pounds to better suit most backyards. White and purple colored peahens also attract less complaints than noisier, shrill-calling brown peahens. Selecting the right breed helps mitigate noise and other potential issues.
Is it better to get an adult peacock or chick?
Purchase considerations:
- Adult: Adjusts more easily to new home but costs more. Ensure proper sexing or may get noisy hen.
- Chick: Imprints well on you but requires brooder care initially. Cheaper but 1 in 3 turn out to be male.
Adults are ideal for beginners wanting easy acclimation and correct sex. Hand-raising chicks takes more work but bonds them to you. Adopt adults from March-May before breeding season. Get chicks in spring so they mature over summer. Avoid wild-caught peafowl who may have parasites or illnesses.
Do I need a rooster for peahens to lay fertile eggs?
Yes, you need at least one peacock for peahens to produce fertile eggs. The male peacock, known as a peacock, provides the sperm to fertilize the eggs inside the peahen. Without a peacock present, peahens can still lay eggs but they will be infertile and unable to hatch into chicks. Even with a peacock, peahens don’t always hatch 100% of eggs if natural incubation fails. Having one peacock for every 3-5 peahens provides enough fertilization for normal egg production. Too many peacocks leads to decreased fertility rates.
How often do peahens lay eggs?
Peahens start laying eggs from around 2 years old. During peak breeding season of March-May, they lay 1-2 eggs per week. Average yearly production is 30-60 eggs for mature hens. Hot temperatures and stress may decrease frequency of egg laying. Nesting area, diet, and age also affect productivity. Older peahens lay less eggs as fertility declines. Provide proper care and housing for optimal egg production from your peafowl flock.
Do I need an incubator for peafowl eggs?
Not necessarily. Peahens can naturally incubate their own eggs, eliminating the need for an artificial incubator. However, natural incubation success rates tend to be lower. Peahens may accidentally break eggs in the nest or fail to turn them enough. Providing an incubator ensures optimal conditions for hatching. Recommended incubator guidelines:
- Temperature: 99.5 F for forced air incubator, 101-103 F for still air incubator
- Humidity: 60% first 27 days, then increase to 70%
- Turn eggs at least 3 times per day, odd numbered turns
- Hatch window: 28-32 days
Candle eggs after 1 week to check for fertility and development. Discard any infertile eggs. An incubator provides the best hatch rates if desired, but is not essential for success.
Can I keep peacock chicks with mature peafowl?
It’s risky keeping peacock chicks or “peababies” with adult peafowl. Mature peacocks may attack or kill chicks competing for food, territory, or the attention of peahens. Even normally placid hens can turn aggressive against chicks. Raising chicks separately eliminates dangers from older flock members. Options include:
- Brooder box for first 6 weeks
- Separate coop and outdoor pen
- Partitioned section of adult housing
At 6-8 weeks, chicks have enough size and mobility to reintegrate with adults more safely. Always monitor interactions closely when first mixing ages. Remove bullying birds if needed. Raising chicks apart ensures protection while allowing natural socialization.
What predators should I watch out for?
Peafowl fall prey to various backyard predators. Major threats include:
- Coyotes
- Foxes
- Bobcats
- Dogs
- Hawks
- Raccoons
- Opossums
Lock peafowl in secure housing at night. Install motion sensor lights and use predator-proof fencing. Limit hiding spots like tall brush around the coop. Discourage aerial attacks with overhead netting. Bring birds indoors or construct a strong pen when predators are active. Monitoring and proactive deterrence prevents tragic losses.
What health problems do I need to watch out for?
Common peafowl illnesses and conditions include:
- Parasites: Roundworms, tapeworms, coccidia
- Bacterial infections: Salmonella, E. coli, chlamydiosis
- Marek’s disease: Herpesvirus causing paralysis and death
- Newcastle disease: Highly contagious respiratory virus
- Bumblefoot: Bacterial infection of footpad
- Frostbite: Tissue damage from extreme cold
Use preventative care to reduce disease risks. This includes deworming, vaccinations, clean housing, and biosecurity measures. Catch illness early by watching for lethargy, appetite changes, discharge, or lameness. Isolate and treat sick birds promptly under veterinary guidance. Some illnesses can rapidly spread through a flock.
What vaccines do peacocks need?
Two core vaccines are recommended for backyard peafowl:
- Marek’s disease vaccine: Protects against deadly Marek’s herpesvirus. Given at day of hatch via injection or by in ovo injection late in incubation.
- Fowl pox vaccine: Defends against fowl pox virus. Administered by wing web stab method. Boost annually.
Additional disease threats like Newcastle disease may warrant vaccination based on risk level. Talk to an avian vet for advice on vaccines needed in your region. Properly immunized peafowl stay healthier and live longer.
Should I clip my peacock’s wings?
There are pros and cons of clipping a peacock’s wings:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Prevents escape and wandering | Impairs ability to evade predators |
Avoids potential property damage | Risk of injury during re-growth |
Easier to handle and manage | Added stress to the bird |
Only clip 1-2 long flight feathers per wing to limit mobility without completely grounding them. Never fully clip primary feathers or tail feathers. Test ability to glide gently down before releasing. Clipping may be appropriate for overly aggressive or flighty peacocks. But improve housing and training before resorting to this stressful procedure.
How can I peacock-proof my yard?
To discourage unwanted peacock behaviors in your yard:
- Use bird netting over plants, roofs, and ponds.
- Apply repellent sprays on off-limit areas.
- Install peafowl-proof fencing around gardens and borders.
- Remove outdoor food sources.
- Block access to potential roosts or perches.
- Use motion-activated sprinklers.
- Provide plenty of enrichment in designated areas.
Adequate space and proper housing also reduces damage. Further training like clipping wings helps restrict wandering. Ongoing supervision lets you intervene and redirect peacocks away from problem spots.
How can I stop my peacock from being noisy?
Excessive peacock screaming annoys neighbors. To reduce noise:
- Get only male peacocks, no loud peahens.
- Keep no more than 1 peacock per 3-5 hens.
- House birds further from property boundaries.
- Use sound dampening materials on coops.
- Keep coop lights on timers to limit early calls.
- Turn on music or fans to muffle calls.
- Downsize flock if very problematic.
Also nip vocal issues quickly. Call collars temporarily limit shrieking but should be a last resort. Address the root cause like too much testosterone, rather than just the noise. With patience and training, problematic peacock calls can be contained.
How can I stop my peacock from attacking?
Aggressive peacocks can be dangerous with their sharp spurs. Curb aggression by:
- Getting young chicks for easier socialization.
- Having at least 3 hens per male to limit competition.
- Removing aggressive birds from the flock.
- Trimming spur tips slightly.
- Providing ample space and hiding spots.
- Discouraging territorial displays.
- Supervising interactions with humans.
Aggression often stems from insecurity or poor handling. Boost confidence through training. Show dominance without harming the bird. Attacks should not be tolerated – rehome birds who don’t respond to training.
Conclusion
Peacocks are exotic additions that require special care but reward keepers with their beauty and personality. Do thorough research to prepare yourself for the commitment involved. Ensure you have adequate space, proper housing, and access to avian veterinary services. Follow local laws and be considerate of neighbors. With time, patience, and the right approach, peafowl can make an enchanting backyard flock! They add vibrancy, charm, and even pest control to small farms and rural homes. Carefully weigh the pleasures and challenges peacocks present before getting started. But for the right owner, a small peafowl flock can be an incredibly rewarding endeavor.