Although peacocks can be seen frequently at the zoo as exotic birds, not many people would consider keeping them as pets. Peacocks are increasingly popular in the United States, and around the globe as pets. Although their official name is the “peafowl”, male peafowls make up most of their common name. Before you decide whether or not to buy a peacock as a pet, it is important to learn more about them.
These are the 5 Things You Need to Know About Peacock Ownership
1. Peacocks need plenty of space
To be healthy, a peacock requires at least 80 square feet of space. However, the larger the area, the better. To allow feather spreading and flying, a cage should be at least 7ft high. You can allow your pet peafowl to roam freely if you have a larger property than 7 feet high.
Peacocks love to make loud, shrieking sounds, especially during mating season. Therefore, it is important that there be some distance between your peacock’s home and the property of your neighbor. It is a good idea for neighbors to know about your plans if you don’t live in a rural area but plan to keep your peacocks in a cage.
2. They like warm climates
Wild peacocks prefer tropical climates to birds kept in captivity. Although they don’t necessarily need humidity to thrive, they do require warmth or protection from the colder temperatures to live a full life.
You should provide your pet peafowl with a large wooden chicken nest to rest in during the colder months. To provide your pet with an insulated and safe place to live, you can use plywood to build walls around it during winter.
3. They are easy prey
Although peafowls can be timid and small, they are prey to many predators including dogs, coyotes, and other animals. It is vital that your pet peacocks are kept safe from predators at all times. Protecting your pet peacock can be done regardless of whether it is in a protected area or free roaming.
Perch boxes can be built in trees to provide protection for free-range peacocks. Your bird will fly to the perch box if a predator approaches. The predator will eventually give up and flee after a while. In case of a predator gets through the fencing or caging, a peacock should be kept in a perch or elevated house.
4. They are Omnivores
Peacocks can eat almost any food, regardless of the season or what is growing where they are. Peafowls in captivity should be fed commercial bird feed that is made for chickens or pheasants. They also need to be given peanuts and green leafy vegetables every day. You can also feed your pet peacock cat or dog food to make sure they get enough protein. Sometimes, fruit can be given as a snack, along with colorful vegetables like tomatoes, bell peppers, or carrots.
5. They require special health care
Peacocks are known for developing worms. They should be dewormed once a month, but there is no wormer that’s made for them. One made for chickens or cattle can be used. You can buy herbal wormer products at some feed shops that can be used on any animal, even peafowls.
Peafowls can also be susceptible to parasites like lice and chiggers. They should be checked and treated for these conditions throughout the year. Because they are not considered common pets, there is no standard veterinarian protocol for peacocks. Farm vets will be able help you to prevent and treat diseases such as avian pox.
Although they are beautiful birds, peafowls require care as pets. Peafowls aren’t as social as chickens. They can interact with people more than chickens but will not be as friendly as cats or dogs. A peacock that thrives and is happy is something that every animal lover will appreciate. Are you still deciding whether or not to adopt a peafowl? Please leave your comments in the section below!
Is it possible to have a peacock as a pet?
Despite breeders acknowledging they are not very good friends or protectors, peacocks are popular pets with individuals willing to host the colorful decorative bird.
Will my pet peacock flee?
Peacocks are magnificent fowls to look at, especially when they fan out their tails and strut about on open land. However, for new peafowl owners, it may come as a surprise because they will fly away if left untrained or outside the pen at night.
Can a peacock do harm to a dog?
Adult peafowl should be able to defend themselves against canines! The majority of peafowl are fine with dogs, however if your dog is violent or agitated, it is critical to keep the peafowl safe.
How does peacock feces look?
Brown, dark, dry, rough, or soft feces is possible. Poop from healthy peafowls may contain many white dots. Their droppings are not uniform in shape; they might be spherical, oval, sausage-shaped, or bean-shaped. Poop reveals a lot about the health of a peacock.
Can a peacock be kept in a cage?
Large cages can be used to keep peafowl. Because peafowl can fly short distances and up into high trees, the taller the cage, the better. If you wish them to roam throughout your neighborhood, their territorial traits imply that once established, they can be tamed to stay in one spot.
What should you feed your pet peacock?
Peafowl nutrition for optimal health Peafowl in captivity are frequently fed a supplemental diet provided by their keepers. Cat food, cheese, almonds, scrambled eggs, cooked rice, grains, and kitchen leftovers are all favorites of peacocks. To maintain optimal health, peafowl should be fed a high protein diet.
Peacocks drink what?
Peacocks, like other birds, just require water to survive. Birds who eat a lot of insects or other watery meals don’t need to drink much, if at all.
Are peacocks good with humans?
People mistake peacocks for sociable birds, but the truth is that peacocks are not especially friendly.
What exactly is this?
They may see your approaching them as hostile if you try to touch or pluck their feathers or pet them. In such cases, peacocks may attack.
What are peacocks frightened of?
Dogs frighten peafowl. Take your dog for a walk around the property and neighborhood. Peafowl dislikes water. Water is a well-known repellent for peafowl.
What exactly is a peacock personality?
A Peacock Peacocks are outgoing, confident, and sociable. They are pleasant and amusing, but may turn dramatic under pressure. Peacocks live by the phrase, “Hey, world, look at me!” They are motivated by attention, praise, and fame. Peacocks are imaginative and loud creatures who flourish when they can freely express their thoughts and feelings.