One of the most common questions many peoples have been asking is can you have Peacocks as pets.
Peacocks are beautiful and hardy creatures that can live in any type of climate. From the fluctuating temperatures of the American northwest to the extreme heat of India, you can be sure of finding these pretty in several parts of the world.
So can you have peacocks as pets? The answer is Yes, you can keep peacocks as pets. They live for about 20 years, and you can be sure of them making good pets.
If you are raising them from a young age, the chances are that they will get used to you and eventually become less likely to feel threatened or aggressive.
When raising your peafowl, you will have to ensure that they are well-taken care of. They will require more space in order to forage for insects freely and even run around.
They will also need protective sections in their habitat to avoid being attacked by predators. If you are raising them in a cold area, you will have to add a heater in the shelter.
Peacocks do well in tropical climates and can not thrive well in freezing temperatures. Peacocks are meant to live in the wild.
Therefore, you should expect a few damages if you are bringing them home for the time.
Things You Need To Know When Keeping Peacocks As Pets
First, peafowl is the correct term for both male and female birds. The right term for male peafowl is a peacock, while that female peafowl is known as peahens.
However, most people use peacocks to refer to both male and female peafowl. If you have been thinking of keeping a peacock at your home as a pet, here are a few things you need to know.
Peacocks Require Plenty of Space
Peacocks typically need a larger living space in order to live a happy and healthy life. If you are raising a single peacock as your pet, it will require at least 82 square feet of living space.
Their caged habitat should be at least 6 feet high to allow them to spread their feathers and fly. Your pretty pets will hardly leave their territory. Therefore, you can allow them to roam free if you have plenty of space.
Peafowls tend to make loud noises, especially during their mating season. Therefore, you will have to establish enough space between where your peacock lives and your neighbor’s farm.
If you live in an urban area and plan to keep your bird in a caged habitat, you should inform your neighbors of your plans and ensure they are ok with it.
Peacocks Like Warm Climates
Wild peafowls mostly live in tropical climates. Birds in captivity will quickly adapt and do well in warm weather as compared to cooler temperatures.
The birds do not necessarily require humidity in order to thrive. They require warmer climates or protection from colder weather to enjoy high-quality life.
If you do not come from tropical regions such as Hawaii or Florida, you will have to provide your pet peacock with a large wooden chicken roost.
This will be vital for your birds whenever the weather gets too cool for them and when the winds get heavy.
You can use plywood to build walls around their habitat during the winter period in order to provide them with an insulated and safe place until the weather gets warm.
They Are Easy To Prey
A peacock is not tiny or timid. However, these beautiful creatures are considered prey by many predators such as coyotes and dogs.
For this reason, you will have to make sure that your birds are protected from their possible predators throughout the day.
Protection can be effective regardless of your birds live in an enclosed area or is free-range. You can protect your free-range peafowl from predators by building perch boxes in the trees.
If your birds see a predator, they will fly onto or into the perch box where it is impossible for their enemies to reach. The predator will get tired and go away after some time.
Peafowls that have been contained should also have some elevated perch and house, and just in case, the predator goes through the caging or fencing.
They Are Omnivores
Peacocks are omnivore creatures. They will feed on a wide range of foods in the wild depending on various things, such as what grows around their habitat and the time of the year.
In captivity, your peacocks should be fed on a commercial bird feed meant for pheasants or chickens. You can also give them leafy green vegetables and peanuts from time to time.
Dog or cat food can also be given as a snack, as well as colorful vegetables such as tomatoes, carrots, and bell peppers.
Peacocks Need Special Health Care
Peacocks are known for getting worms. Therefore, they will have to be dewormed from time to time to control worms.
Although there is no wormer that has been specifically made for peacocks, you can use one made for chickens and cattle.
You can also find herbal wormer products from some feed stores to use in treating peafowl. In addition, peacocks are susceptible to some parasites like chiggers and lice.
Therefore, you will have to check for these parasites regularly and treat them as soon as possible.
Since these birds are not common pets, no veterinarian protocol has been established. However, farm vets can help you treat and prevent diseases such as avian pox.
Reasons Why Peacocks Make Good Pets
There are several reasons why peacocks make good pets. Here are some of them.
They are not picky eaters.
Generally, peafowls are not picky eaters. Since they are omnivores, they can be fed on a wide range of foods.
Once you meet their basic needs, such as feeding, your birds will thrive in any environment. They are easy to care for.
Peacocks can be very affectionate.
Peafowls can be so affectionate to their keepers. When raised from an early age by human beings, they may more likely see them as parents.
If you spend most of the time with your birds, they will come and cuddle with your more frequently. A peacock can easily identify its owner.
They are highly adaptable.
Despite their exotic and tropical appearances, peacocks can quickly adapt to changeable climates and weathers.
You do not have to worry much about your peafowls having trouble with summer heat and winter seasons. These amazing birds are also able to predict the weather.
They are beautiful creatures.
One of the main reasons why peacocks make good pets and most bird lovers consider keeping them is the fact that they are beautiful creatures.
With their mesmerizing tail feathers on males and bold colors, they give a wonderful sight to behold.
Peacocks can fend off dangerous pets.
Keeping a peafowl on your farm or as a pet comes with many advantages. They can fend off a wide range of pests on the farm, such as snakes.
They have sharp spurs attached to their feet which they can use to inflict damage if they decide to fight. If your peacocks are at peace and not fighting, they can make a lot of crowing noises to alert you that there is danger afoot.
They relate well with other animals.
Your peacock will tend to get along with most other pets and animals. They usually move around from one place to another, looking for something to feed on and trying to stay out of the way of other animals.
Peacocks are generally less aggressive and will only lash out at someone whenever they feel threatened.
They are mostly active.
Peacocks like to roam where they live. This is very important as it helps them to see everything that happens near them.
They are active creatures and will always be on the move trying to spot any possible danger that could come their way.
They usually make a screeching sound whenever they sense any danger approaching. In addition, a peacock possesses a highly tuned sense of hearing.
What Are The Challenges That Come With Having Peacocks As Pets?
Although keeping peacocks as pets is one of the best and nicest things that any pet enthusiast will wish to experience, it also comes with various challenges. Here are some of these challenges.
They can be messy pets.
Peacocks can be messy pets because they tend to poop a lot. A peacock’s poop comes with a foul odor and sticky consistency. This makes cleaning up after them a very hard and challenging task.
They can be very noisy.
Peacocks can get noisy sometimes. They will even make a lot of noise during their mating season.
They can not be house trained.
Unlike dogs and cats, peacocks can not be kept as traditional pets. You can not house train them, and you will find it hard to handle them.
They can even move to your neighbor’s compound if they think they can find good food there.
Conclusion
Peacocks are beautiful birds that can be kept as pets. However, they will need a lot of care and maintenance. Unlike chickens, they are more interactive with their keepers, although they may not be more friendly and show affection to family members like cats and dogs.
