Peafowl, quail, pheasants, guineas and other game birds are a unique option for flock raisers. These birds are raised for many reasons, from meat and eggs to sport and companionship. If you’re looking to add beauty and variety to your flock through peacocks, game birds and ornamentals, below are a few ideas to start.
Facts about raising peacocks
Raising peafowl may seem exotic, but can easily be a rewarding hobby. Peafowl is the generic term that covers both male peacocks and female peahens. Interestingly, peafowl are members of the pheasant family and can live to be 40 to 50 years old. This is much longer than the lifespan of other poultry, so be sure to keep this point in mind when considering peafowl.
The vibrant and colorful display of plumage draws people to raising peacocks. Peafowl come in a variety of types, including India Blue, Emerald and White peacocks. The pure white albino peacock exists, although they are very rare. If you are raising peacocks, they need a spacious coop and run. A general rule of thumb is 80 square feet per bird with a pen height of at least 8 feet to fan their feathers. These birds prefer tall roosts to accommodate their tails, which can reach up to 5 feet long. Peafowl can fly high and away into trees, so trimming wing feathers is key if they free range.
What do peacocks eat? Peafowl need a high level of protein to maintain their beautiful feathers. A peacock feather is made of 90 percent protein, so it’s important to provide essential amino acids with a complete feed.
