India Peafowl

Peafowl should usually be kept as one male with several hens to mimic wild social structure. Males can be aggressive during breeding season and plenty of
space is needed for these large birds. Peafowl call very loudly as an 'alarm scream' to warn others of danger. The peacock fans his train (tail) which can
measure six feet across. He shakes this very rapidly to produce a rattling sound as he struts for his hens. Peahens will lay a clutch of 4-9 pale beige eggs in a
ground nest or in a low tree. The peachicks will hatch after a 28 day incubation and reach sexually maturity between two and three years old. Second year hens
can lay fertile eggs but generally males take three years to mature. These slow-growing birds are the national bird of India and are sacred creatures in their
native range. The peacock is the symbol of the God of War. He is without a doubt one of the most captivating gamebirds available.

Peafowl have been a big part of culture and status for
centuries. Emperors have always kept them in their royal
gardens. Today India Peafowl are still ornamental birds for
many people. It is impossible not to feel pride with these
stately birds on your property. Much more economical to
keep than the Green Peafowl for those who wish to raise
them simply as pets.

India Peafowl are generally a hardy species that can
withstand cold and heat to a decent extent. Plenty of space
should be given to these birds as adults and their diet
should be structured. They should be fed a 20% protein
feed or higher. Turkey grower is ideal as it has high fat as
well. This substitutes some of the peafowl's predatory
intake. Fruit is also a portion of their diet.

All peafowl originate from southern Asia. The wild range of
India Peafowl spans throughout India and Sri Lanka.
Peafowl live in this hilly and thickly-forested area and stay
in a home range for life. They feed in meadows during the
day and return to tall trees to roost in for the night.

Peafowl are naturally timid and spook easily. India Peafowl
aren't quite as 'flighty' as Green Peafowl but still have a wild
streak. We feed our birds grapes as treats so they
associate us with a tasty treat. This helps them to enjoy our
visits and not see us a disturbance. These beautiful birds
are worth the effort to make friends with in the long run.

Our new Peafowl barn will be constructed next year. This year our peafowl are in smaller quarters, but our breeding trios will have a new home come next
spring. Each peacock will get 200 sq. ft. and each hen will have 100 sq. ft. This gives us a total of 400 sq. ft. per breeding trio. These long pens will be planted
with fast growing grasses so the birds can graze as they please. Peafowl are kept in insulated buildings to keep them comfortable in the cold New England
winters. Birds are also provided with large dust baths filled with sand and ash from fires. Ash and soot are natural insect killers. This bathing reduces mites
and ticks. 4" diameter branches or 2" x 4" lumber are used for perches set about four feet off the ground. Any lower and they seem to have trouble landing that
low. They are powerful fliers and with just one hop they end up over-shooting their roost.