Peacocks as Pets

Pet peacocks are very popular as well as gorgeous.

These birds love to run and play and need room to roam. Even though peacocks are not normally what one would consider pets, they adapt to the right living conditions quick provided they have enough space. Peacocks are very easy to keep fed. They prefer things like chicken feed, snails, dry cat food, Cheerios, bugs, seeds, and plant leaves.

The peacock will get along fine with all other family pets if they have enough room to not be bothered or intruded on by other domestic animals like dogs. It is best for them to have a large area so that they will have less confrontation. Peacocks have sharp talons and a claw on their legs than they will use if threatened.

You will want to be sure your property has trees because peacocks roost in them during the night to protect themselves from predators. You will also want to have plenty of land so that when the females nest they have a place to hide from the males. If she has adequate room and coverage to hide, the female peacock will lay 8- 12 eggs each year. Usually only a few will actually hatch.

Since the chicks cannot roost in the trees with the female peacock it is best that you keep them penned and away from predators that might invade your yard at night. One the chicks become about a month old they can be released to roost with the other peacocks at night. Another reason for a large landscape is so you are far from neighbors. Peacocks have a very loud and annoying call that can be quite disturbing to some.

Even though many landowners like their live lawn ornaments, it is important to know what you are getting into. Under the right conditions and land space your peacocks can like up to 50 years. This could be a problem if you decided to move to a smaller location. You will not have to worry about Vet bills due to the fact that peacocks are very resistant against many diseases. However, it is wise to have your peacocks wormed twice a year to prevent internal parasites.

The chicks will be quite easy to tend to. They require mash made from the adult feed. If you plan to breed your peacocks be sure you have a market for the chicks when they mature. Even large landowners must be careful to not over populate their property.

If you are one of those people who live in the city, you will want to think twice before investing in a pet peacock or more. It is pretty unlikely that your neighbors will approve of the high-pitched womanly scream that will be coming from your home. Not to mention many largely populated places have city ordinances that restrict loud noises after a specific time. Not to mention most back yard in suburban areas do not provide the amount of space needed by the peacocks.

The small area that the peacock is confines to can leave him or her more susceptible to predator attacks or attacking others. If the peacock feels too confined and cannot get away or hide from such things as the neighbors, children, dogs, or raccoons, they can lash out to protect them selves.

Since peacocks are amazing flyers, including their chicks, city living is definitely frowned against.

They can easily fly into the next yard and that could spell disaster for many. Caging your peacocks is an option as long as the pen has a roof. This is cruel for a bird that requires space to live. Pens do provide a great nesting area for females but should not be completely enclosed. Many irresponsible city peacock owners have had to let their clutches go due to over population or escape. This is not acceptable.

Peacocks taken out of their natural habitat should be provided with plenty of land to roam and populate on undisturbed. Always be sure if you have a male with multiple females you have homes for the chicks or you remove the eggs from the mother’s nest to control clutch populations. Peacocks can make wonderful pets if allowed to roam free and be admired when they so choose.