Lucas Delgado
Raising peacock chicks, or peachicks, is similar to raising chicken chicks. They need to be kept in a draft-free brooder for the first 8 weeks, kept warm and with access to fresh water and food. However, peachicks are very sensitive to chills, so they are usually only available in spring and summer. They are also extremely noisy, so you should ensure your neighbours don't mind before adopting any. While it is possible to keep chickens and peafowl together, they require diligent cleaning regimes, uncrowded conditions, and regular deworming to avoid the spread of disease.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ease of raising peachicks | Similar to raising chicken chicks |
| Brooder temperature | 95°F for the first week, decreasing by 5°F each week |
| Brooder size | Large enough for chicks to grow and be active |
| Brooder plate height | Minimum of 1 1/8" space between plate and bedding |
| Brooder lid | Screen lid to prevent chicks from jumping out |
| Food | High-protein starter feed, preferably for peafowl |
| Water | Access to fresh water at all times |
| Housing | Draft-free, with extra warmth in winter |
| Roosting | Prefer trees, but will use shelter in cold weather |
| Parasites | More susceptible to worms than chickens |
| Disease | Can catch blackhead from chickens, which is often fatal |
| Aggression | Can be aggressive towards smaller birds |
| Space requirements | Need more space than chickens |
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What You'll Learn
Raising peacock chicks is similar to raising chicken chicks
Raising peacock chicks, or peachicks, is similar to raising chicken chicks in several ways. Firstly, both types of chicks need to be kept warm, with access to fresh water and an appropriate starter feed at all times. The temperature for peachicks should start at 95 degrees Fahrenheit in their first week of life, decreasing by five degrees each week. Chicken chicks also require a high temperature of around 100 degrees Fahrenheit, maintained with a heat lamp. Both types of chicks need to be provided with ample space to grow and be active, and their brooders should be draft-free.
Peachicks and chicken chicks also have similar requirements when it comes to bedding and feeding. For example, pine shavings are suitable bedding for both, while newspaper is not recommended as it can cause injury. Both types of chicks require grit in their diet, which can be purchased as chick grit or obtained from gravel.
In addition, the timing of raising peachicks and chicken chicks is similar. It is recommended to start raising both types of chicks in the spring or early summer. This timing is especially important for peachicks, as they are sensitive to chills and typically only available in the spring and summer months.
While there are many similarities between raising peachicks and chicken chicks, it is important to note that they are not completely the same. For example, peachicks are generally quieter than chicken chicks, and they have a larger range when free-ranging. Additionally, peachicks are sensitive to certain parasites that may be carried by domestic fowl, so separate brooding and housing may be necessary to avoid disease transmission. Overall, while there are some key differences, the process of raising peachicks has many similarities to raising chicken chicks.
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Peacock chicks need a brooder for the first 8 weeks
Peacock chicks, or peachicks, are sensitive to chills and are therefore typically available in the spring and summer months only. They are raised in a manner similar to chicken chicks; they need to be in a draft-free brooder for the first 8 weeks, kept warm and with access to fresh water and a high-protein starter feed at all times. The temperature of the brooder should start at 95 degrees Fahrenheit for the first week of age, then decrease the brooder temperature by 5 degrees each week.
Peachicks learn quickly how to jump and fly, so add a screen lid on the brooder as soon as you see attempts at jumping. The brooder needs to be large enough to give the chicks plenty of room to grow and be active. The brooder plate should be placed on the opposite side of the brooder space away from waterers, with a minimum of 1 1/8" space between the brooder plate and the bedding.
Different species of fowl can carry different parasites in their digestive tract. Peafowl do not have a tolerance to the parasites that most of your domestic fowl carry. For this reason, it is recommended to brood and house peafowl separately from turkeys, chickens, and other domestic fowl. Peafowl and pheasants can often be kept together without any issue.
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Peacocks are extremely noisy
While peafowl can be a fun and exciting addition to your home, they can be extremely noisy. The noise level is loud enough to cause complaints from close neighbours. Peafowl are noisier during the breeding season, but they also make noise throughout the year. The male peacock makes a mating call from the age of two and a full-scale call with four to five notes from the age of three. This call is extremely loud, especially if you are standing right in front of the peacock. The more peacocks you have, the louder the noise will be, as they tend to call together.
Peafowl also make a variety of other noises. For example, they make a "I hear a loud noise like a truck/siren/helicopter" shriek, which seems to be exclusive to males. They also make a "There's a coyote/bobcat/hawk, look out" honk, which is made by both males and females. Additionally, they make a "Hey, I'm lonely, where are you guys anyways?" honk, which is also made by both males and females, with a variation of a chirp-like noise.
Peafowl are also known to call in response to certain stimuli, such as a slamming car door or a plane flying overhead. They can even hear when someone opens a door to a house, and they will call in response. They also call when they are displaying their train or raising it. If a peafowl becomes separated from its group, it will call until it locates the rest of the flock. This call is different from the mating call.
To minimise noise, peafowl can be kept in a darkened building, stable, or barn at night, which will reduce the noise. They will then call later in the morning, as their calling is related to daylight hours. If you let your peafowl free-range, they will roost in trees or, if the weather is bad, in the barn.
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Peacock chicks are prone to parasites
Although peacock chicks, or peachicks, are naturally hardy birds, they are prone to parasites. Peacock chicks are susceptible to parasitic infections, which are among the most common sanitary problems affecting wild birds. These infections can occur as subclinical conditions, but they may also cause mortality. Peacock chicks are especially vulnerable to protozoan diseases, particularly coccidiosis, which is caused by the parasites coccidia and Isospora. This parasite infects the intestinal mucosa and can lead to poor growth, diarrhoea, and high mortality rates, especially in young birds.
Peacock chicks are also susceptible to other parasites, such as worms, mites, and lice. Mites, for example, feed on the blood of peacocks, causing anemia, weight loss, and weakened immunity. If left untreated, parasites can lead to death. To prevent and treat parasitic infections in peacock chicks, diligent cleaning regimes, avoiding overcrowding, and strict deworming programs are recommended. Additionally, medicated chick feed can help prevent coccidiosis, but it may not be completely effective.
Peacock chicks should be raised in a draft-free brooder for the first eight weeks, kept warm, and provided with access to fresh water and turkey or game bird starter feed. The temperature of the brooder should start at 95 degrees Fahrenheit for the first week and then decrease by five degrees each week. It is important to note that peafowl do not have a tolerance for the parasites that most domestic fowl carry. Therefore, it is recommended to brood and house peafowl separately from turkeys, chickens, and other domestic fowl to prevent the spread of parasites and diseases.
Peafowl are known to be excellent foragers and will eat a variety of insects and undesirable bugs, such as ticks, as well as snakes. They can also be useful in controlling rodent populations. While peafowl can be susceptible to various parasites and health issues, proper care, cleaning, and parasite prevention and treatment can help ensure their health and well-being.
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Peacocks require more space than chickens
While it is possible to raise peacock chicks with other chicks, there are some important considerations to keep in mind, especially when it comes to space requirements. Peacocks require more space than chickens, and this difference in space needs can lead to potential issues.
Firstly, peafowl have a larger range than chickens. While chickens typically stay within 100 yards of their coop, peafowl can roam over much larger distances, easily covering 30 acres or more. This means that if you plan to free-range your peacocks and chickens together, you will need a much larger area to accommodate the peacocks' natural roaming habits.
Secondly, when it comes to housing, peacocks need more space than chickens. A chicken coop may suffice for the early stages of a peacock chick's life, but as they grow, they will require more spacious accommodations. An aviary pen, similar to a chicken run but much larger, is recommended to account for the peacock's long train, which can reach up to six feet in length at maturity. Ensuring adequate space in the housing area is crucial to prevent overcrowding, which can increase the risk of disease transmission and create a stressful environment for the birds.
Additionally, the risk of aggression should be considered. Peacocks can be aggressive towards smaller birds, and this behaviour is more likely to occur when space is limited. Therefore, providing ample space can help reduce the chances of aggressive interactions between the peacocks and other chicks.
Furthermore, the potential for disease transmission is a critical factor when raising peacock chicks with other chicks. Chickens can carry a disease called blackhead, which is often fatal to peafowl. To mitigate this risk, diligent cleaning regimes, avoiding overcrowding, and implementing a strict deworming program are highly recommended. However, even with these precautions, the risk of disease transmission may still be higher when different species are housed together, especially in limited space.
In conclusion, while it is possible to raise peacock chicks with other chicks, such as chickens, it is essential to prioritize space to meet the natural habits and health needs of peacocks. Providing ample space for roaming, housing, and overall wellbeing can help reduce the risks associated with aggression, disease transmission, and overcrowding. Therefore, when considering raising peacock chicks with other chicks, ensuring sufficient space should be a primary concern.
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Frequently asked questions
It is not recommended to brood or house peacock chicks, also known as peachicks, with other types of chicks, such as turkeys and chickens, due to the risk of disease. For example, chickens can carry a disease called blackhead, which is fatal to peafowl. However, peafowl and pheasants are often kept together without any issues.
For the first 8 weeks, peacock chicks should be kept in a draft-free brooder, with access to fresh water and turkey or game bird starter feed. The temperature of the brooder should start at 95 degrees Fahrenheit for the first week and decrease by 5 degrees each week.
Peacock chicks should be fed a high-protein game bird starter feed, preferably one specific to peafowl, until they are about 3 months old. After that, their diet can be supplemented with green, leafy vegetables such as cabbage, dark lettuce, and spinach.
Peacock chicks are sensitive to chills, so they are typically only available in the spring and summer months. They are also very noisy, so it is important to ensure that your neighbors don't mind the noise before adopting them.
