How to Raise Peacock Fowls

Peacocks are one of the most vibrant and beautiful of all bird species. Famous for the long, feathered tails and piercing call, peacocks are loyal birds that rarely stray far from home. Due to their large size and voluminous tail feathers, peacocks require a larger habitat than smaller species such as chickens or turkeys. Raising peafowl seems like a daunting task, but with the proper tools, it's possible for even novice bird owners.

Things You'll Need

  • Large coop
  • Straw
  • Feed and water pans
  • Game bird feed
  • Bird wormer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set up your coop before purchasing your birds. Peacocks need a coop with a sturdy shelter that is at least 20 feet long, 30 feet wide and 12 feet tall, as the male's tail is often more than six feet long when in full plumage. Peacocks sleep off the ground, so your coop should include trees or perches for roosting.

    • 2

      Bed the coop with straw, and set feed and water dishes near the door. Fill the feed dish with wild game feed, and top off the water dish with clean water. Wild game feed is specifically designed to meet the nutritional needs of peacocks, and is available at pet and feed stores.

    • 3

      Purchase your peacocks from reputable breeders. Breeders sell both chicks and adult birds, and will ship birds if you're unable to pick them up from the farm. Ask the breeder about their shipping dates ad policies so the coop is ready prior to the birds' arrival.

    • 4

      Place your new peacocks inside the coop and allow them to wander and explore their new enclosure. Keep the door securely closed, and open it only to feed and water the birds to prevent escapes. Leave the birds in the coop for a minimum of two weeks before allowing them out of the coop.

    • 5

      Worm your peacocks once a month with liquid bird wormer. Read the label carefully, and add the dose specified in the instructions to the water pan. The peacocks will ingest the wormer as they drink for stress-free worming.

    • 6

      Allow the peacocks free range of your property during daylight hours. Peacocks are very territorial and will not stray far from home, so open the coop door and let the birds roam at their leisure. Close the birds in after they're returned to the coop at dusk to roost for the night.