How to Raise Peacocks for Meat

Although peacocks, or peafowl, are rarely used for food today, they have traditionally been a culinary delicacy since the ancient Phoenicians. Using peafowl as a food source became less popular after the introduction of turkeys, since turkeys are far meatier than peafowl. For those who wish to raise peafowl for the table, however, it is relatively simple to do so.

Things You'll Need

  • Peacock
  • Game bird food
  • Wormer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Buy peachicks from a reputable peafowl breeder. There are two types of peachicks you can purchase-India Blue and Green. The India Blue variety is typically the cheaper of the two, and there is no significant difference in the taste.

    • 2

      Keep peachicks in a safe, warm environment, such as a chicken coop. You may keep peachicks in a fenced-in area provided a shelter is available with places to roost and plenty of straw. It is advisable to cover outdoor areas with netting to keep flying predators out and keep your peachicks in as they grow up.

    • 3

      Provide clean water at all times and feed the peafowl game bird food, available at most feed stores. When the peafowl are young, you may consider supplementing their food with other sources of protein, such as dry cat food.

    • 4

      Watch for signs of listlessness in your peafowl and check their droppings for parasites. If your peafowl do not seem to have a lot of energy or worms are visible in their droppings, you will need to worm them. As there is not a wormer specifically for peacocks, consult your veterinarian about which wormer you should use.

    • 5

      Continue to feed and water your peafowl regularly. In 8 to 10 months, your peafowl will be mature and ready for slaughter.